DONCASTER coach Richard Horne heads into the Championship season happy with the make-up of his new-look squad – and hopeful of soon being able to call on the experience of Andre Savelio.
The Kiwi forward signed for the South Yorkshire side a year ago, but amid fitness issues and injuries, managed only two appearances, both from the bench, for the Dons and five (in the second row) on loan to Goole Vikings last season.
The 30-year-old former St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants man who represented the Combined Nations All Stars against England in 2021 was due to play for the Dons in their warm-up game against Bradford Bulls.
But he was withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring problem, and the boss explained: “It was frustrating for him.
“I think Andre would say he wasn’t where he needed to be last year to force his way into the side.
“But he has looked good in pre-season, and he will get an opportunity at some point – and be a handful.”
Fullback Tom Holmes, brought in from from Bradford, halfback Cory Aston (Sheffield Eagles), prop Muizz Mustapha (Castleford Tigers) and centre James Glover, hooker Connor Jones and prop Gadwin Springer (all Featherstone Rovers) are in Horne’s thinking for the home clash with Halifax Panthers on Sunday.
The Dons are aiming to improve on successive eighth-placed finishes in the old-style Championship.
“It’s a tough competition we’re in and over the back-end of last season we fizzled out, partly due to injuries and squad size and partly us just getting used to the division (after promotion from League One in 2023),” added Horne.
“We have tried to address that and while having a bigger squad brings its challenges, we’re happy with it.”