BATLEY BULLDOGS coach Mark Moxon is hoping his new recruit Jack Render will be fully fit by his side’s first league match of the season away to promoted Oldham on Sunday, February 23.
The versatile back who shone in Hunslet’s League One promotion campaign this year is recovering after surgery on a detached retina.
Render has had to be patient during the healing process, but Moxon is optimistic he may be able to play a part in the pre-season meeting with Midlands Hurricanes at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Saturday, January 18.
The 25-year-old chalked up 22 tries in 25 matches, mainly as a winger, last year, the final one coming as Swinton were beaten 22-20 in a promotion/relegation decider after his side won the League One play-offs (Render also crossed in the 20-6 final victory at Keighley).
Over three seasons, the former Featherstone and Sheffield player chalked up 47 tries in 64 games with the south Leeds club.
Now, like his former club, Render is stepping up to the second tier, and Moxon hopes he can emulate Joe Burton, the 22-year-old winger who switched from Hunslet ahead of last season and notched 22 tries in 33 outings in all competitions.
“Jack is obviously a little bit behind, but we have to be careful with an issue like he has had and make sure he’s right before stepping things up,” said the boss.
“We’ll be guided by the doctors, and we’re confident he’ll be up and running before too long.
“Joe Burton made the step up from League One last season, and we see a lot of similar qualities in Jack.”
Fullback Robbie Butterworth is recovering from a broken hand picked up during training, while experienced outside back Elliot Kear also missed the Boxing Day clash with neighbours Dewsbury at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, which Batley won 36-16, due to work commitments.
