Six set to return for Thunder’s trip to Broncos
NEWCASTLE Thunder have been handed a timely fitness boost ahead of the Betfred Championship visit to London Broncos tonight (7.45) with six players returning from injury.
Long-term lay-offs Ukuma Ta’ai and Josh Woods have completed their rehabilitation from surgery and come into the 21-man roster, while shorterterm absentees Alex Foster, Brad Gallagher, Craig Mullen and Jake Shorrocks are also included.
Looking for his side to return to winning ways after three defeats in a row, half-back Shorrocks is expecting a tough test at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in Wimbledon as their opponents look to build on some improved form of their own.
He said: “London have had some tough results but if you look at the performances they have been there or thereabouts and have just been unlucky in terms of the scoreline.
“They had a turnover of a lot of players at the start of the year but it is starting to come together for them.
“The league table probably does not tell the true story for them, so we are expecting a tough challenge.
“There are big ball carriers in their squad and individuals who can do good stuff for them so we have to make sure we are on from the start.”
Having been undone by York Sheffield and Halifax in their recent defeats by quick-fire tries in a short space of time, the Thunder defence has been an area targeted for improvement - which Shorrocks says will be helped by the return of some of the club’s big-name stars.
He added: “Our defence is what sets the tone for us.
“If it is on and we get our start right, which is the first 10 to 15 minutes of the game, then it usually flows quite nicely for us.”