Hunslet Hawks: We're in good shape says Bramald

Hawks will travel to Kingstone Press League One rivals Keighley Cougars on Sunday (3pm).

They then play host to York City Knights in the iPro Sport Cup on Sunday, February 21, before a Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie the following weekend.

Their opening league fixture is at Rochdale Hornets on Sunday, March 6.

Bramald said: “We have got over some injuries. We had a few leading into the Batley game, but we have got a pretty healthy squad now. Brooke Broughton and Aston Wilson are both quite long term. Danny Ansell has a back problem, but nothing major and apart from that we are healthy and we’re looking forward to the games coming up.”

Hawks began their pre-season campaign against Leeds Rhinos in the Lazenby Cup and have also faced Featherstone Rovers and Batley.

“Playing Keighley will give us more of a gauge on where we are,” Bramald predicted.

“We have had two warm-up games against Championship teams and the one against Leeds, but this will be a good benchmark for us.

“Keighley are expected to be among the favourites so it will be a good challenge for us and we’ll get to see where the boys are at.”