Hunslet have prepared their squad for this Sunday’s trip (April 19th 3pm) to Stalybridge where they play Oldham in the 1895 Cup.
The Parksiders were off form last time the sides met, losing 44-0 and hope to give a better account of themselves, but it’s been a tough week in training with injuries and loan players being recalled.
Leeds have recalled Ben Littlewood (who has been loaned to York), Tom Nicholson- Watton and Ned McCormack, whilst Doncaster are keeping players back to avoid them being Cup tied.
On a positive note, though, Brandon Pickersgill and Ant Walker come in on-loan.
“It’s been a busy week.” said Head Coach Kyle Trout. “We have lost Cam Berry to a HIA (Head Injury Assessment), and Jaden Barraclough, who picked up a knock at Keighley, but with Brandon and Ant coming in, we should be ok. Brandon is highly rated full-back, but has been unlucky lately with injuries. I know him well, and he is a capable player, whilst Ant came through St Helens with Lee Gaskell and is a big body and a point of difference. He’ll up the tempo and is hard to deal with.”
“It’s a bit of a free hit this week. We obviously have started to find form in the League but, for various reasons are a bit short of bodies this week. We owe a performance really and have looked at a few areas. We want to speed up, it’s not a slow wresting game anymore. The 2nd half of the last Oldham game was better. I always feel we can score, but we need a fine balance and play smart, which we didn’t do last time”.
Last week’s win at home to Newcastle was a nail-biter, but Trout felt it should never have gone to the wire.
“We should have had that game won. We were naïve at times (the 40/20, kick before halftime), but we controlled the game. Eddie Battye’s line speed is great and we score some nice tries. They only score when we give away repeat sets or pens, but it’s important to remember we are only 9 games into the season with new players and a new system. Sadly, some players have left and we’ve had to go for loans. We are in for players that should come to fruition soon, but it takes time. We have some big games in the League coming up, and 2/3 of our ties are against last year’s Championship sides, unlike some of the teams currently above us. But we are confident and look forward to it. The lads will be looking to progress in the Cup and, hopefully, our fans will be as vocal as last time out”.
Elijah Simpson and Jack Ward come back into the squad after being out injured.
squad
