HEAD Coach Gary Thornton aims to field all 22 of his registered players in Hunslet’s first game of 2020 on Sunday (5 January, 3.00pm).

The Parksiders host Bradford Bulls in the first of three appetising pre-season friendlies – all at the South Leeds Stadium – with Batley Bulldogs (Sunday 12 January) and Leeds Rhinos (Friday 31 January) to follow.

Thornton said: “Pre-season training has gone very well and our trialists have really impressed.

“Now’s the time to give them – and our more established players – a run-out, and every member of our squad will play in at least two of our three friendlies.

“We’ll be aiming to put into practice on the pitch what we’ve been working on in training, and each and every one of our lads is chomping at the bit to get into action.”

He continued: “We’ve arranged three attractive home matches for our supporters to enjoy, two of them against Betfred Championship clubs, while we expect Leeds to field, as usual, a side comprising young, promising and talented players.

“We aim to learn a great deal from these games, starting with the Bradford match. I know that our passionate supporters are excited about taking a look at our new-look side while Bulls’ fans will feel similarly about their own team, especially after their good win at Castleford on Boxing Day.”

Hunslet’s squad is: Jimmy Watson, Ben Markland, Ben Heaton, Tom Ashton, Matt Chrimes, Simon Brown, Dom Brambani, Zach Braham, Jack Lee, Harry Kidd, Josh Tonks, Duane Straugheir, Vila Halafihi, Danny Rowse, Harvey Hallas, Jack Ray, Danny King, Kiedan Hartley, Lochlan McGill, Zach Johnson, Jordan Andrade, Jack Aldous. Trialists seeking to make their mark are Aaron Williams (Ossett Trinity), Liam Copland (Stanningley) and AJ Boardman (Dewsbury Moor).