Seen he was in saints 19 man squad for the wakey game but didnt play tonight, does that mean he can play for us on Sunday or not?

Since he didn't play, I would say he is available for a championship game this weekend.

I don't think he will, I read somewhere that the parent club lets us know by the Monday if a player will be available or not. I'm not sure but I think once the parent lets us know either way then it can't be changed.

I guess we'll find out on sunday - if Dean's included then we'll know things can change, if he's not then obviously they can't. My bet though would that he's not going to play.

That's something (suprisingly...not!) that the RFL didn't make clear was it in squad or playing in match itself?

As if Saints waiting on injury makes sense... but if no intention of playing him i'd be suprised if they put him in 19 etc.

I read earlier Matt Gidley had picked up an injury tonight and could be out for a spell so Dean may be needed to fill his spot for a few weeks after this weekend.

I know things might change but the decision to take Ainscough and Dean looks to have backfired and as things stand we're not going to get any games out of either player for the foreseeable future. As I said before our dual contract players were announced, we had to find a balance. If we got decent players we ran the risk of them not being available to us hardly ever. If we were to have taken virually unknown youngsters with no 1st team experience, there was no guarantee that these players would be any good. At 1st glance Dean and Ainscough looked to be fantastic 'signings' but in reality we're going to get far more use from Farrell and Davies. We supposidly spent months mulling over these deals making sure we got the right players - doesn't look like it at the mo. IMO it was always likely Dean and Ainscough were going to end up back at their clubs - Dean because of Saints small squad and Ainscough because of how he burst on the scene last year in SL.

Maybe its a good thing Dean has been tied up/injured - would Grady have played much with TKL and Dean both available? Also with Ainscough - I think Gardner been decent for us and once Flynn's back, who would have missed out on the wing? Just a pain in the ar*e with Flynn, Gaskell and Ford all out at the same time but if we can just get over the next few weeks, we might be ok. A short term loan of someone like Kevin Penny or a fullback would be alright though.

Should have got some pensioners mate

he played for the reserves against wakey on saturday

Forget this dual reg show pony. Step forward Dean Thompson.

I agree mate he looks a talent this lad.

We did not miss TKL and he is class.

Im with you on this one bring dean thompson through

Bang on!

He's got no neck, but I think I'd rarther have Thompson in the side anyway.

I'm all in favour of developing our young players , and games against teams of the standard of Keighley and St Judes are ideal for that , but in the next two league games we play Sheff and Fax so hopefully we will select our strongest side barring injury ,

Right now that means TKL and Dean battle it out to play alongside Grady , a youngster whose development has been handled correctly and now earns the right to be first choice. Thompson needs the same development approach as Grady,

The Vicar

To be fair though Vicar i think Thompson is already quite far in his development, he spent a large amount of his time on loan at Blackpool last year and was scoring for fun. No doubt Grady deserves his chance and Toa will always get the other spot if fit but Thompson is certainly putting pressure on both along with Dean. Out of all our youngsters i have seen come through he appears to have that x facor about him and looks a real threat with the ball. He also got 2 playing against Soliola from Saints.


One to watch me thinks.

Is Chris Dean actually training with us?

Matt Gidley picked up an injury last game for Saints which will rules him out for around a 4 - 5 week period. Prior to this i believe Dean was all set to come back to Widnes after having recovered from his injury. I dont think he will be with us for the next 3 weeks.

Bang on Vikingman i think Dean Thompson is a superleague player in the making.In my opinion i think he is better than chris dean.If you good enough your old enough.Out of the youngsters mullaley and hulme wont get much playing time in the first team.I think these two players need to go on loan for development.