Hooley may be seen as cover for both fullback, and indirectly the halves, as myler can be used as halves cover without the big reshuffle it took to but Hardaker there in some games this year.

Not sure how many but they need to lose some from what I've heard. I'm guessing they'd see MacDonald as a keeper if they've got a choice.

Macdonald will be announced by Leeds shortly

I'm surprised by this one if I'm honest. Usually if another club signs one of our ex-players I'm the first to say if they are good players and will do well, take it on the chin so to speak.

Yet I struggle here. All I can say is that he must have made a stunning improvement whilst at Batley. It's possible I suppose.

What struck me about Hooley in the two first team games he played for us (one incidentally the boxing day game against you) was as follows. Utterly out of his depth, like a rabbit in the headlights. Absolutely no pace. Much as I dislike Hardaker, Hooley is not in the same class on any level as a player.

Still as I say, he may have come on a lot since then.

I still say the one you want is Leon Ruan and if you don't I'd have him at BV.

I hope Smith can develop him further but in the games I've seen him I'm just not getting it, I can't see a top 4 super league player in him

Agreed, he looks a steady player but not a top half super league full back.

I hope to be proven wrong.

Rohan has coached him before at Bradford, so at least knows him. Hope he can really come on. Was he still part time at Batley? It can make a big difference going full time for a year with a good coach

I couldn't see a bottom four SL player in him

Is he on his way though ? Would have thought this would have been done by now.

Saw something in the local Leigh paper only this week suggesting this was going to happen. Look at it from Rohan’s point of view - if Zack stays (I think he will) he still has to allow for the fact that Newman, for all his potential, is extremely prone to injury. Without him you're down to an 18 year old in Edwards or weakening the second row by moving Martin. Sign McDonald and Zack and Myler compete for full back and Myler keeps Austin and Sezer honest in the halves. Makes sense to me.