Doncaster RLFC: Jordan Howden in timely return for Dons

Doncaster RLFC are boosted by the return of play-maker Jordan Howden in tomorrow's opening League One clash against Coventry Bears at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Jordan HowdenJordan Howden
Jordan Howden

The stand-off missed last weekend’s Challenge Cup tie against Myton Warriors with a hamstring niggle but will line-up alongside Jack Miller who gets the first shot at league level of standing in for Jordie Hedges, who picked up a six-match ban in midweek.

Another boost for head coach Gary Thornton is that prop Feka Paleaasina has shaken off a back injury sustained against Myton, but new signing Michael Worrincy is unavailable and fellow back-rower Charlie Martin is only rated 50-50.

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Bears come into the game on the back of a 32-0 Challenge Cup defeat at Hunslet, but Thornton is taking nothing for granted.

“I’ve seen footage of the game and it was probably a fair result but Hunslet played well on the day,” he told The Star yesterday.

“We’ve done what homework we can on them but we’ve concentrated more on ourselves this week.

“Obviously the main thing is getting off to a winning start but I also want to see an improvement because we aren’t the finished article just yet.

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“There were certain elements of our performance last week that I was very disappointed with particularly in attack. I thought we looked rusty at times and a bit unorganised.

“I think that will get better when the clocks go back later this month when we’ll be able to work more on our shape.”

The club have given Brad England a contract for 2017 after he proved his fitness in the last couple of games .He missed the whole of last season after suffering a knee injury in a warm-up game.