DONCASTER halfback Ben Johnston is backing Josh Bowden to make a big impact at the club.
While 32-year-old Johnston is in his fifth season after moving from York, where his second spell was hit by the pandemic, Bowden is on board after helping Wakefield dominate the Championship last year.
The 33-year-old former Hull forward made 31 appearances as Trinity added Championship Grand Final glory to their 1895 Cup success.
Bowden made his Dons debut in the 22-4 defeat at Featherstone in round one of the Championship.
Richard Horne’s side sat out round two of the 13-team competition and head to Hunslet on Sunday.
Johnston, who has also played for Castleford and Halifax, said: “Josh is a great addition.
“He’s a great lad, a good influence around the place and an experienced operator. He’s going to be an important player for us.”
Johnston hopes the club’s early-season injury issues will clear up, adding: “It’s not just match days which are affected.
“Having lads out prevents us from training fully as a team, and with them starting to come back, we’ve been able to use the break positively.”
Doncaster have taken 19-year-old Hull KR winger Harvey Horne (Richard Horne’s nephew) on an initial two-week loan.