Sunday is BBQ day at the Keepmoat!

Newcastle have recently signed Liam Finn for 2019 and it looks highly likely they've signed Gareth Hock too. Hock was released from Featherstone when Fev failed to make the top four in the Championship. Finishing outside the top four reduces Fev's 'central funding' for 2019 and Hock became a casualty. This implies that Newcastle must have a serious stash of cash for 2019.

We easily beat Newcastle in the cup game at the Keepmoat earlier in the season. We then won 22-20 at Newcastle. Newcastle beat Oldham 24-18 in the last round of games. I've no doubt they will pose a serious challenge to the Dons this Sunday and we can't afford to be off our game.

The other critical game of the weekend sees York travel to Workington. We could do with York winning that game and denting Workington's points difference too as that would help our chances of finishing third.

With the promotion structure still seemingly 'up in the air' it's probably best to assume at this stage that nothing will change and 2 to 5 with be involved in the play-offs, not teams 3 to 6, but who knows what's possible with the RFL's brains trust. Something completely different might happen!

Litten, Miloudi, Lane all named in the Hull squad this weekend

As are Bienek and Harris.

As expected .

Looks like two out of the five could be coming our way at best then.

Hull FC are playing away at Warrington this Thursday.

I think we can cope. Littens the biggest miss.
Honestly at this stage it's only Litten and Miloudi would be straight in 17.
Any injuries we need to worry about?

They are full time professionals if they come through the fixture at Warrington injury free why cant they play two games in three days?

Don't be silly Geoff. There's a big difference in playing 2 games in 3 days and being fully prepared to do so.

Owen may be a doubt , rib injury v Whitehaven .

So how do the teams manage now with playing Good Friday & Easter Monday?

They used to play three games in a week Christmas Day,Boxing Day & New Years Day no subs & the players were part time.

Without Miloudi and Litten this game could become a potential banana skin. They're both players who make things happen and have that little bit of class.

Players are not allowed to play for 2 clubs in the same weekend.

The Hull game at Warrington is played on Thursday this week not at the weekend

According to page 93 of the RFL Operational Rules on Dual Reg item c:1:2:22 (f) states, "The Player is not restricted to playing in one fixture per scheduled round of fixtures in any given week."

I think you know what he meant.

Was just about to post the same, they're not allowed to play for 2 clubs in the same round of fixtures

Miloudi not in hull 17 tonight

Litten is then?

Harris starts, Lane, Litten and Bienek all on the bench.

Remember talking to Danny McGuire and asking him the same
Question and his reply was it's like being in a car crash on Sunday
and then in another one on Wednesday.

Warrington have just played in a Cup Final & five days later they scored 80 points in tonight's game against Hull FC who haven't played a game for 14 days

How would today's full time players cope playing Christmas Day,Boxing Day & New Years Day in a game with no subs, unlimited tackles,contested scrums & part time players going to work between Christmas & New Year.

They'd cope because they take pride in their performances, just like the players from days gone by did. But playing two games in two days, or three games in a week, increases the chances of injuries (possibly serious injuries) and needs to be avoided.

If anyone wants to see the 19 it's on the match preview but no article strangely. Decent squad. Feeling confident.

Here's he squad: Matty Beharrell, Connor Bower, Ryan Boyle, Sam Doherty, Brad England, Jordie Hedges, Jordan Howden, Aaron Jones-Bishop, Kyle Kesik, Jack Logan (Loan), Karim Madani (Trialist), Frankie Mariano, Hakim Miloudi (D/R), Jason Muranka, Ross Osborne, Jack Sanderson (Loan), Connor Scott, Russ Spiers, Jason Tali.

No Richard Owen as expected after the Whitehaven injury. No Charlie Martin either. I presume Jordie will cover at hooker when Kes comes off. I wonder if there'll be a place for Karim Madani?

Maybe. There's 9 backs in that squad. All of which are worth a place but only 7/8 will be in 17