Hunslet sign Batley Bulldogs trio on loan ahead of League One game at North Wales Crusaders

Winger Wayne Reittie and centre George Senior are in the Parksiders’ squad for Friday's game at North Wales Crusaders in Betfred League One and forward Anthony Bowman has also joined on a temporary basis from their Betfred Championship neighbours.

As reported by the Evening Post on Tuesday, Hunslet coach Gary Thornton was keen to strengthen his injury-hit squad following last Sunday’s opening defeat by Workington Town.

Thornton, a former coach at Mount Pleasant, reckons all three additions will make an impact in the third tier.

“Big thanks to Batley for helping facilitate this,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity to add three Championship quality players to our depleted squad.

“With long term injuries to Will Cooke and Jimmy Watson - and with Niall Walker still recovering from a hamstring injury - we’ve been looking to bring in some outside-backs and George and Wayne will be fantastic additions.”

Thornton added: “Rets [Reittie] has loads of experience and is a proven performer at Championship level and George is very highly regarded at Batley, so I’m sure they will do a great job for us.

“Also, with Duane Straugheir and Lewis Wray still on the mend from niggling injuries, Anthony will be a valuable addition to our pack.

“Again he has vast experience in the Championship and was a standout for Batley last season.”

Straugheir, Walker and Wray are all included in Hunslet’s initial squad for the game in Wales.

Full-back Jake Sweeting drops out from last week’s team.

He suffered a quad injury against Workington and has returned to parent club Featherstone Rovers at the end of his loan spell.

Jy-Mel Coleman and Aaron Jones-Bishop are also in contention.

Hunslet’s squad is: Jordan Andrade, Tom Ashton, AJ Boardman, Dom Brambani, Simon Brown, Matty Chrimes, Jy-Mel Coleman, Nathan Conroy, Vila Halafihi, Harvey Hallas, Kiedan Hartley, Brad Hey, Sion Jones, Aaron Jones-Bishop, Harry Kidd, Joe McClean, Wayne Reittie, Alex Rowe, George Senior, Duane Straugheir, Niall Walker and Lewis Wray.

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