NORTH WALES CRUSADERS coach Dean Muir believes that the Championship is as competitive as he looks ahead to a busy period.
Following a blank weekend, North Wales return to action at Halifax Panthers this Sunday.
After facing Whitehaven and Midlands Hurricanes (who they also host on Saturday, April 18 in the 1895 Cup first round) at home, the Crusaders then have four further away league fixtures in a row, to Keighley Cougars, Doncaster, Goole Vikings and Batley Bulldogs to take them into May.
“There’s some games coming up that are challenging,” Muir told Cru Cast.
“Keighley have had a great start to the year. They’ve picked up some wins and they look a different team to the year before. They’re together and they’re tight.
“Whitehaven are always a tough opposition. They’re always physical, they’re always motivated.
“Without (former coach) Anthony Murray at the helm, it will be interesting to see what happens there.
“Midlands Hurricanes under Mark Dunning are really resilient, really competitive and they’ve got some players in there with some real skill and that Midlands team never go away.”
Ahead of those fixtures, Muir has revealed that Brad Foster could be out for a lengthy period, whilst Owain Abel is on the mend after suffering a hernia.
“Brad Foster’s had his scan and it’s not great news,” said Muir.
“We’re just waiting for a second opinion on that, but we’re looking at twelve-to-13 weeks for Brad.
“Owain Abel had been coming back from ACL surgery was rehabbing really well and I said how excited and happy I was that he’d started back in full training, and we were hoping that Owain would get back in pretty quick.
“But then he’s suffered a hernia injury and has had the operation. The estimated time on that is maybe four or five weeks if we’re lucky and the medical team can do a good job of getting him returned.”