Championship One Preview: London Skolars v Gateshead (Sun)

London Skolars coach Joe Mbu has warned his team to prepare for a battle when Gateshead Thunder travel to the New River Stadium on Sunday.

Mbu said: “Since I’ve been with the Skolars, Gateshead have always looked at us as a team that they can get a win against.

“When they play against us, they turn up 100 per cent. It’s one of those games where it’ll be really tough for us.

“I’m sure they’ll come here with a view to beating us and bringing their best game of the season.

“I fully respect them, irrespective of what results they’ve had lately. They’ve got a lot of threats in their team.”

Mbu has a fully fit squad to pick from, while Gateshead coach Kevin Neighbour will check on Brad Krebs (dead leg) before finalising his team.

Thunder face the daunting task of travelling to London on Sunday, but Neighbour insists that will not be used as ‘an excuse’.

He said: “You can’t get any more of a mental challenge than preparing ourselves for the trip ahead.

“We’ve known about it for a while. There’s not a lot we can do apart from go there, get on with it and not use it as an excuse.”

He added: “London a team we should be looking to follow in terms of their progress. You try to build solid foundations like they have, as opposed to overspending and potentially going bust.”