London Skolars v Hunslet - Parksiders boosted by returning players

The return of five players from injury will boost Hunslet’s hopes of completing a second successive win, away to London Skolars on Saturday.
Vila Halafihi. Picture by Tony Johnson.Vila Halafihi. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Vila Halafihi. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Captain Duane Straugheir has been named in Hunslet’s squad for the Betfred League One fixture in the capital after recovering from a back problem.

Also in contention are stand-off Simon Brown and three-quarters Niall Walker and Will Cooke, all after leg injuries and hooker Vila Halafihi who missed last Sunday’s win over Rochdale Hornets because of a damaged hand.

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Coach Gary Thornton is hopeful the performance and result against Rochdale was a turning point in Hunslet’s season and reckons Straugheir’s return will give them another lift.

“It’s a massive boost for the whole group to have our captain and leader back fit and available,” he said.

“This is a tough fixture and we will need to be at our best.

“It’s important we build on last week’s win and start to put a winning run together.”

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The Parksiders will be without veteran half-back Dom Brambani after he suffered a calf muscle strain against Hornets.

Loan duo George Senior and Anthony Bowman have been recalled by Batley, but new signing from Newcastle Thunder Mikey Wood is poised to make his Hunslet debut.

Hunslet (at London Skolars): from Watson, Walker, Chrimes, Ashton, A Brown, S Brown, Coleman, Rowe, Halafihi, Braham, Hey, Straugheir, Wood, Conroy, McClean, Andrade, Jones, Hallas, Cooke, Gibbons, Reittie.

Referee: Kevin Moore (Wakefield).

Kick-off: Saturday, 3.30pm.

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