Head coach Alan Kilshaw has confirmed his 21-man squad for Sunday’s huge Betfred League 1 clash with promotion rivals Oldham at the South Leeds Stadium.
The Parksiders go into the fixture second in the table while the Roughyeds are a point adrift, in fourth spot.
`Killer’ welcomes back Jimmy Watson, Michael Knowles, who were rested for last Sunday’s 54-22 victory at Midlands Hurricanes, together with Nathan Conroy and Dan McGrath. The Hurricanes registered their highest home attendance of the year for the match, numbers having been bolstered by Hunslet’s army of travelling fans.
Nathan Newbound and Sean Croston are currently on loan at Cornwall while Jordan Bull is captaining England Universities in Rugby League’s Student Four Nations championships in Wales. Danny Barcoe, meanwhile, has been granted an early release to take up an opportunity elsewhere while Jake Maizen and Johnny Campbell, who have been on loan from Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs respectively, have been recalled by their parent clubs.
Hunslet’s boss said: “We have 26 fit blokes to choose from, which is a testament to the work the coaching and performance staff (Miles Greenwood, Ryan Jackson and Danny Burton) are doing; we are looking very strong and very fit.
“The Oldham fixture is a challenge we are very much looking forward to. They have brought some players in this week so we know how serious they are treating the game and the promotion race. We always focus on ourselves first and foremost, however. We have a happy settled squad who love playing at home. It’s a well-connected group and the team spirit is evident in how they work hard for each other and do the tough stuff together.”
Kilshaw concluded: “The bigger the game the sharper the focus for us. We have identified a few things this week and themed our week around those areas. The performance on Sunday will be a by-product of that.”
Hunslet (home to Oldham, Sunday, 3.00pm). From: Jimmy Watson, Jack Render, Adam Ryder, Joe Burton, Nathan Conroy, Harvey Hallas, Sam Hallas, Steve Crossley, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Aaron York, Michael Knowles, Jordan Syme, Lewis Wray, Brad Wheeler, Dan McGrath, Alfie Goddard, Matty Beharrell, Spencer Darley, Marcus Green, Myles Lawford, Oli Burton.
Under 16s can be admitted free of charge for the attractive contest.
