[size=150Purdham to return for Crusaders clash[/size

Rob Purdham has been named in the 19 man Harlequins squad to face Crusaders Rugby League at the Gnoll on Thursday evening.

The 29-year-old is set to make his return to action for the first time since September having undergone shoulder surgery.

Also included in head coach Brian McDermott's 19 man squad is Ryan Esders who will face a fitness test later this week having been out for a month with a fractured wrist.

David Howell will miss the trip to South Wales as he awaits the result of a scan on a calf injury sustained in last Friday's match against Bradford.



[uThe 19 man squad in full:[/u



BEN BOLGER

LAMONT BRYAN

TONY CLUBB

RYAN ESDERS

LUKE GALE

JASON GOLDEN

BEN JONES – BISHOP

LOUIE McCARTHY – SCARSBROOK

CHRIS MELLING

JAMIE O’CALLAGHAN

DANNY ORR

ROBERT PURDHAM

CHAD RANDALL

WILL SHARP

MARTYN SMITH

DANNY WARD

OLIVER WILKES

DAVE WILLIAMS

LUKE WILLIAMSON

Not sure whether its the fact I think the man Purdham is a legend and might play or that maybe its a sign that our luck is changing but I have a big smile on my face

Can we start winning now please.

Maybe run Purdo out in the centres as he eases back into playing again



No Karl T sadly

Was thinking that myself ES. Think we have enough cover in forwards and at lose to use Purdo out in centres where we going to be short now that Howell out injuried. and with his experience he be needed out there to help out with Witt's areial bombs that he likes to put over for Mellars.



As for Karl T. I'm hoping he be back for HullKR game,got a feeling Club in no rush after what happened to him before when they rushed him back to cover for injury's.



So i would go with:

BEN BOLGER

LAMONT BRYAN

TONY CLUBB

LUKE GALE

JASON GOLDEN

BEN JONES – BISHOP

LOUIE McCARTHY – SCARSBROOK

CHRIS MELLING

JAMIE O’CALLAGHAN

DANNY ORR

ROBERT PURDHAM

CHAD RANDALL

WILL SHARP

DANNY WARD

OLIVER WILKES

DAVE WILLIAMS

LUKE WILLIAMSON



Smith and Esders to miss out

1. Ben Jones-Bishop

2. Chris Melling

3. Tony Clubb

4. Rob Purdham

5. Will Sharp

6. Danny Orr

7. Luke Gale

8. Danny Ward

9. Chad Randall

10.Oliver Wilkes

11.Luke Williamson

12.Ben Bolger

13.Jason Golden



14.Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook

15.Dave Williams

16.Lamont Bryan

17.Martyn Smith



Esders & O'Callaghan to miss out(Hopefully)

What about BJB at centre and Melling at full back-a radical thought. Melling is a good return full back.



Are we to assume the fat slob Blibb has gone back to Wakey - Maybe to replaceTronc!!

really hope purdham plays for you lads on thursday because backing up on monday after all this time out will then be too much for him, I've always rated him and he always plays well against us (rovers), good luck on thursday

Thanks, Sandy (I think!).



Would be great to see Purdo back but typical of our luck to lose our only recognized centre.



I guess Rob will play in the centres but looking at the stats, it's a bit dispiriting to see that the last 5 games Rob has played there, we've lost all 5.





Anyhoo, looking forward to the game (funny how the Crusaders team looks like a Bronco's team of old... 13 Ozzies or thereabouts and Martin and Lupton).

2 good performances followed by 2 wins now Purdos back.

As he won't be match fit it would be more realistic for him to start on the bench, but knowing BM he'll probably play 80 minutes at hooker!

Crusaders continuing to strengthen their squad. Clinton Schiffkoske (I'm sure I've spelled that wrong), well-experienced NRL full back, signed from Irish Yawnion, and straight into their squad for tonight.

We need our forwards to really get on top, really push themselves as hard as they can. Our backs need more space desperately and theyve all had a nice long rest. Come on boys!