Jacob Hookem, who joined Whitehaven on a short-term loan last week, has been named in the Hull FC squad for the home game with Catalan Dragons.
The youngster made a short contribution to Haven’s 24-16 derby win over Workington Town last Sunday but with a couple of unavailabilities has made the Super League squad.
Hookem’s two Hull FC team-mates, Davy Litten and Marcus Walker are both included again in the Whitehaven squad to travel to York City Knights.
Haven head coach Jonty Gorley was particularly pleased with how the young trio performed against Workington with Litten marking his debut with a very early first try of the game.
“It’s not easy coming into a new club but they fitted in really well and were pumped-up like everyone else, especially when we scored and celebrated at the end.
“York away is going to be a different challenge for us. We beat them well but they will be a different proposition at home. Last season we won well at home and they beat us well down there.
“What particularly pleased me about the Workington win was the way we defended, particularly in the second-half when they didn’t score a point.
“I have challenged the lads by saying if they can work as hard in defence as they did for a big Cup test with St Helens and then a derby I want to see that from them every game,” said Gorley.
In-form York are looking for a fourth consecutive win at the LNER Community Stadium when they take on the Cumnbrians.
Coach James Ford will be looking for another dominant performance from his pack, a group who have laid the platform for the Knights’ recent run of good form in the first third of this Betfred Championship season.
Masi Matongo crossed for his first Knights try last weekend and is included as he looks to build on one of his best showings so far in a York shirt.
Winger AJ Towse, impressive against Newcastle in scoring his first two Knights tries, looks set to continue on the left flank with fellow wide men Will Oakes and Olly Butterworth still ruled out with injuries.
Also included in the squad is teenage trialist Ben Barnard, a forward with community club Heworth who has been training with the Knights in recent weeks.
The Haven squad is: Aiye, Bradley, Bulman, Cooper, Dawson, Dixon, Eccleston, Evans, Graham, Hudson, King, Litten, Martin, Moore, Olstrom, Phillips, M. Walker, T. Walker, Wilkinson, Williams.
The York squad is: Marsh, Brown, Glover, Ogden, O’Hagan, Matongo, Jubb, Teanby, Clarkson, Pauli, Thompson, Davis, Dixon, Stock, Kirmond , Harris, Harrison, Towse, Edwards, Porter, Barnard.
