Fans of the Dons will be full of optimism ahead of Sunday's friendly against Championship side Hunslet Hawks after the signing of former Hull FC and Hull KR star Paul Cooke.

With plenty of new signings to see in action for the first time, the Dons will believe they can push the Hawks all the way and start 2012 in style.

The new look side is full of promising potential with head coach Tony Miller opting to sign mostly young players who will be hoping to prove themselves in professional rugby league.

Former York City Knights player Lee Waterman will be looking to make a big impact this season after being selected in the Championship One team of the year in his debut season for them.

With this being the Dons first of three pre-season friendlies, the new signings will be out to impress Miller and his coaching staff to earn a place in the first team for the forthcoming Northern Rail Cup campaign.

Hunslet started their campaign on New Year's Day with a 24-0 loss to Championship rivals Featherstone, however they recently grabbed their first win of 2012 with a comfortable 38-6 victory over a Hunslet select side.

Hunslet have added 16 new players to the squad and have retained a number of players from last year including former Dons man Neil Lowe.

This match may prove to be one that Hunslet will think they can win, however they realise the Dons will be no pushovers with head coach Barry Eaton praising us by saying ‘we are definitely one of the favourites to earn promotion from Championship 1 in 2012 and are a formidable outfit.'

The John Sheridan cup kicks off at 3:00pm on Sunday at the Keepmoat Stadium and ticket prices are as follows:

Adults: £10
Concessions (OAP's & disabled): £6
Juniors (5 to 16): £2
Under 5's go free

The ticket office number is 01302 762576.

Get yourself down there and support the club as they kick off what is sure to be a fantastic season. Come on you Dons!

Dons squad: Mick Butterfield, Kyle Bibb, Dean Colton, Jamie Crowther, Grant Edwards, Jack Ely, Mike Emmett, Craig Fawcett, Tom Hodson, Carl Hughes, Mike Kelly, Dean O'Loughlin, Nathan Powley, Craig Robinson, Kyle Sampson, Stewart Sanderson, Andy Townend, Lee Waterman, Fran Welsh

Hawks squad: Ryan Benjafield, Rich Blakeway, Jack Bradbury, Corey Challenger, David Clayton, Sam Dalby, Aaron Dobek, Pat Fulstone, Luke Haigh, Matt Harding, Luke Helliwell, Stuart Kain, Joe McLoughlin, Josh Nathaniel, Greg Nicholson, John Oakes, Joe Pickets, Joe Pickets, David Toothill, Dennis Tuffour, Liam Welham, Andy Yates

I can't wait, I am really looking forward to some rugby again.
If we can push Hunslet close, then we can be confident we can give anybody a game at home in C1.
I am just hoping we can unearth a few gems ...Tom Hodson maybe or Lee Waterman.
And although we have made a joke about it on here, it is nice to have a decent choice of forwards, an area we were lacking in last year.
What we mustn't do, if we do unearth a few gems, is to let them be poached by either of the two sides we are playing friendlies against.

Lee Waterman did a great job for York in Champ;1 then last season Dave Woods for some reason would not play him, a decent kicker and strong runner I prefer him at fullback but can play centre, good luck and hope you get promoted.

He will do well to oust Butterfield from the No 1 spot but we are short in the centres.

Just noted Craig Lawton not in the squad !

No Mark Castle in the squad either.

Yes, no reasons reported to date for those exceptions.

Cooke (just signed and reported as not to be involved) & Kesik (one match suspension) we knew about. Hopefully, some information will be made available.

Neil Lowe (mentioned in the report) is apparently considering an offer to join Workington.

It will be interesting to see how ex-Dons Aaron Dobek and Joe McLocklan go against us.

Looking forward to it , hope its a bitter warmer overnight tonight (Sat).

Tonight - Dry with clear spells during the evening and night, again leading to frost with mist and freezing fog patches in some places.

Source: BBC Weather.

You can't have it both ways.....

Anyway, unless it gets some sun on it and thawed out, it could be in danger.
Is Donny's game against Cardiff still on?

Yes. Covers on overnight, removed this morning. Pitch playable, game on.