NRC Preview: Gateshead v Gloucestershire

Jacob Blades and Chris Parker will both be assessed on Friday after the Gateshead Thunder pair suffered ankle injuries at Oldham.

However, Joe Brown could return after coming through Tuesday’s training session unscathed.

Thunder coach Kevin Neighbour is still aiming for his first win of the season, but believes last week’s 34-16 loss against Oldham was a positive step forward.

Neighbour said: “It was a game I believed we could have won, but we performed significantly better in the second half. We just weren’t able to cope with the conditions in the first half.”

He added: “We improved from the game before, and we hope to do the same again this week.

“I watched the All Golds when the played Northumbria University, I’ve seen the highlights from their game against Hemel, and I’m sure they’ll have improved even further.

“They’ll be well organised and they’ve quite a few decent players in their squad.”

Gloucestershire All Golds are searching for their first win in the semi-professional ranks, but coach Brad Hepi was impressed by his side in last week’s 20-0 loss at London Skolars.