Trio could make Gateshead bows

James Gordon

Gateshead could hand debuts to a trio of new signings in this weekend’s clash with Whitehaven.

Kris Kahler, Nick Youngquest and Paul Franze are all free to join Thunder after Pia Donkeys were knocked out of the French Championship play-offs last weekend, and are expected to arrive in the North East by Friday at the latest.

New coach Steve McCormack, who enjoyed a win over Oldham in his first game in charge, said: “Speaking to the three of them this wee,k they are all just champing at the bit to get across and get started.

“Hopefully they will all be here in time to be involved on Sunday.

“I will pick the squad after Friday night’s training, I will leave it until then because that gives us time to let them arrive here and potentially have that training session under their belts too.

“It was great to gain the win at the weekend but there are things we need to keep working on and improving, and hopefully we will take steps in that direction this week.”

Fourth signing Russ Aitken, the former Melbourne NRL Grand Final winner, will not be arriving for a few more weeks after guiding his Carcassone side to the semi-finals of the French competition.