Kingstone Press Championship One Preview: Gateshead Thunder v Oxford

Former Super League stand-off Jamie Rooney is a major doubt for Gateshead Thunder as he battles to overcome an ankle problem.

Loan signing Benn Hardcastle is likely to keep his place should Rooney fail to recover, as Thunder continue their play-off push.

They closed in on the top five with a win over Gloucestershire All Golds last week, and victory over Oxford would see them move into the play-off positions.

Oxford coach Tony Benson hopes to have Sean Morris, Jimmy Rowlands and Michael Cratbree all available for Sunday’s clash.

Benson’s squad has been decimated by injuries, with local youngsters Ed Vickers and Sam Egerton being given their debuts in recent weeks.

But Valu Bentley (knee) is still struggling and looks like to miss out on the trip north.

Benson said: “We had nine games on the bounce, and that’s just too much for a club our size.”