HEAD coach Alan Kilshaw has named the 21 men who are making the long trip from south Leeds tomorrow for Hunslet’s Betfred League One fixture against Cornwall on Saturday (13 May, 1.00pm).
`Killer’ will be without several players, including testimonial fullback Jimmy Watson, who will be out for an indefinite period because of a finger injury at work, and recent signing Matty Beharrell (prior family commitment).
Jordan Bull is also unavailable through his involvement with England Universities in last night’s President’s Cup game against Great Britain Police at Rochdale Mayfield, while Spencer Darley has work commitments and Dan McGrath is on holiday.
Fraser Stroud, meanwhile, will be sidelined for some time with a foot injury. Jake Sweeting will undergo a fitness test on Friday morning in his bid to return to action from a quad injury.
Kilshaw can nevertheless select a strong 17 from Jack Render, Adam Ryder, Joe Burton, Jake Sweeting, Michael Knowles, Nathan Conroy, Harvey Hallas, Sam Hallas, Steve Crossley, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Aaron York, Harvey Whiteley, Danny Barcoe, Nathan Newbound, Jordan Syme, Lewis Wray, Morgan Punchard, Sean Croston, Brad Wheeler, Alfie Goddard and Johnny Campbell.
Other than Jimmy Watson’s benefit game against amateurs Drighlington on the penultimate day of last month, the match will be Hunslet’s first since the 48-6 home win over Midlands Hurricanes on 16 April. `Killer’ said: “We have trained very well, we are in good shape, and we have used this period of no fixtures to develop and become stronger.
“I’m expecting a strong performance from the group, and they know what type of effort is required to come up with that. We prepare the same for every game, as if it is a final, and this is no different. The Choughs have had a big improvement in performances, from the heavy defeat at Dewsbury to a much more impressive display last week at Oldham. We are very aware of the threat they pose on their own ground, and of course the logistical challenges that a match in Cornwall can present.
