HUNSLET’S dynamic second row Brad Hey, who has missed the Parksiders’ last six games with an ankle injury, is back to full fitness and has been named in head coach Alan Kilshaw’s 21-man squad for the last game of the regular Betfred League 1 season, at Workington Town on Sunday (2.00pm).
Kilshaw also welcomes back utility forward Joe Summers, who has recovered from a hand injury sustained at work.
Hooker Vila Halafihi, who picked up a knee injury in last Sunday’s 82-6 win over West Wales Raiders, which sealed a top-six berth and a place in the promotion play-offs, is ruled out but will be fit for the knockout stages, which commence next week. Prop Frazer Morris, who has made a big impact since joining the Parksiders recently, is unavailable because of a pre-booked holiday while Aaron Jones-Bishop is suspended and fullback Jimmy Watson (Achilles) is out for the season.
Kilshaw said: “We’re looking in decent shape as we prepare for the play-offs, and it’s good to be heading to Workington for our last fixture of the regular campaign with nothing directly at stake.
“We’ve all been under pressure to avoid defeat since I joined Hunslet towards the end of July and, other than at leaders Barrow, we’ve done that. We’ve now got some breathing space for the trip to Derwent Park, which is a good thing.”
He reflected: “It’s a new competition after this weekend – straight knock-out Rugby League, which we’ve been pretty much experiencing for the last few weeks. And that run-in should stand us in good stead.”
Hunslet’s 21-man squad for Workington is: Lewis Young, Reece Chapman-Smith, Wayne Reittie, Will Cooke, Matty Chrimes, Kiedan Hartley, Simon Brown, Dom Brambani, Jordan Andrade, Harry Kidd, Nathan Conroy, Harvey Whiteley, Brad Hey, Duane Straugheir, Harvey Hallas, Alex Rowe, Lewis Wray, Joe McClean, Jy-Mel Coleman, Mikey Wood, Joe Summers.
