Gateshead Thunder head coach Dave Woods is adamant his side's promotion bid will not collapse ahead of the visit of Blackpool to the International Stadium.

With three games to go National Two leaders Thunder have a five-point lead over Barrow and Woods believes his side can end this season as champions.

"We spoke about being professional to the end and the boys want to finish off the job," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We want to make sure we have a real good game this weekend."

Thunder beat Barrow last weekend to increase their lead at the top.

However Woods is concerned that his players remain focused on their own performance, despite admitting he will have an eye on the outcome of Barrow's match with fellow promotion hopefuls Oldham on Sunday.

"If Oldham beat Barrow we only need two wins to be premier so we do keep an eye on how that is going," he said.

"But at the end of the day whatever happens in those games if we lose then we miss out.

"We've got to make sure we're right and let the other games take care of themselves."

Meanwhile Gateshead have signed Castleford back-rower Brendon Hlad until the end of the season, with a view to a permanent contract.

Gateshead's final game of the season will also now take place on Thursday, 21 August as the match has been chosen as a live television fixture.