Hawks are in good shape for life after Championship

HUNSLET HAWKS are in good shape for life in Kingstone Press League One.

Hawks, relegated from the Championship last year, will be without long-term casualties Liam Mackay, Brooke Broughton and Matthew Tebb for Sunday’s trip to Rochdale Hornets. But coach Matt Bramald said Zach Johnson, a prop-forward signed this week on loan from Dewsbury Rams, is likely to make his debut.

Johnson is a former Shaw Cross amateur, who has played in the Championship for Swinton Lions. Bramald said: “We have got a pretty clean bill of health, apart from the long-term injuries.”

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Meanwhile Dewsbury Rams will be without former Featherstone Rovers pivot Andy Kain for Sunday’s Championship fixture Big Fellas Stadium. Kain played against Whitehaven last week with a broken hand, but also picked up a knee injury and coach Glenn Morrison said: “He’s not looking good, he probably won’t play.”

Jack Teanby could also miss out, but Ben Reynolds is set to return after a week out with concussion.

Morrison added: “Karl Pryce is back available and fit and it’s just a case of getting him up to speed. He will be in contention if not this week, then the week after.”

Rovers are hoping to sign a hooker in time for Sunday’s match. They have been without a specialist No 9 since Matty Wildie suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season game against Leeds Rhinos.

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Coach Jon Sharp was hoping a deal could be concluded before close of business today, which would allow the player to feature on Sunday.

“We’ve had somebody covering at nine, rather than an established hooker,” he said.

“That affects how you play, but hopefully it will be addressed.”

Sharp said Rovers are likely to be otherwise unchanged from last week’s win over Oldham.

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Batley Bulldogs prop Sean Hesketh is now available after recovering from pre-season knee surgery.

Coach John Kear said he is likely to have a spell on dual-registration at League One club Oxford to build up match fitness.

Joe Chandler (concussion) and Chris Ulugia (ankle) are both in doubt for Sunday’s visit of Workington Town, but Kear said James Davey (hamstring) could return.

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