He doesn't have a number though and I guess most would think of those with a number as 'being in the squad'. Kear did say that a number younger players would get their chance through the season though and they would get a number when that happened. I strongly suspect Josh is amongst that group.

At the player presentation in the Southbank last Saturday the 31 members of the First team squad were introduced. Kear then brought out 7 players (including Josh) and said that these were the Reserve team squad for 2019. Presumably the side will be padded out with fringe first teamers, academy players and trialists. JK explained that these players would not have squad numbers until they had played a First team game (league or cup) in 2019. He said he'd discussed it with the 7 players and all had bought into it. I don't know if Josh has played first team previously.
Of the other 6 I think 5 are still academy players who haven't yet played first team and one is a new signing.
Anyway, Josh was there on Saturday and is still very much at the club.

Played one league game in 2016, 4 league games in 2017 and then the cup game at Hunslet in 2018.

He's certainly got a fight on to get in the side. You'd assume those that already have squad numbers are at least currently ahead of him in the pecking order, and as has been listed on this thread, there's no shortage of wingers in those numbers. At least the door has been left open for those not given numbers though.

Thanks for clarifying that. I remember him playing pre season but, shamefully, his first team games had passed me by. Agree he's got some stiff competition but hopefully having the regular Reserve team slot will give him some consistency and he can push on.

Scored a very good hat trick against Wigan in the reserves game at Dudley Hill, got potential but theres also Ryan Butterworth in the 19s who looks a very good prospect some of his trys have been remarkable

Absolutely. The lack of anywhere, within the club, for 'fringe' players to put on a 'please pick me' show or even keep up fitness levels has been probably the biggest home made disaster of RL in recent years. Good luck to all these players, it's about time.

Thought he looked good when he came on yesterday did young Rickett. Handled everything that was thrpown at him and returned/carted ball up strongly.

Foreshadowing their 40/20 attempt showed he could read a game too! Looked good!

Seemed a big lad too. Bigger than I can recall.

This list can now be updated with the squad numbers and recent news of GM leaving. thanks again

anyone know what’s happening with Gibson? Can’t believe he didn’t get a game over Easter and we are playing Mini in the centres above him?

Ok, so it looks like the squad for next year will be

1 Brandon Pickersgill
2 David Foggin-Johnston
3 Jake Webster
4
5 Jy Hitchcox
6 Joe Keyes
7 Jordan Lilley
8
9 Thomas Doyle
10 Steve Crossley
11 Connor Farrell
12 Matty Storton
13 Elliot Minchella
14 Evan Hodgson
15 Rowan Milnes
16. Joe Brown

So we're light in the forwards, especially at prop and we need a bit more experience at hooker. We also need some quality for the wing/centres. Certainly a centre on the other side of the field who can match Webster's contributions would be a big plus. Also, as Chalmers has said we're looking to sign 9 players, I'd assume it's this 9 who've played for the team this year but have yet to be announced as leaving

Liam Kirk
Mikey Wood
Ross Peltier
Sam Hallas
George Flanagan
Dalton Grant
George Milton
Ross Oakes
Rhys Evans

They'd help flesh out the side and give us a bit of competition for places. I'd be happier with a couple of new faces coming in, but it seems the RFL's plan to screw over our recruitment for 2020 has paid off for them and beggars can't be choosers and we'll have to make do with what we can get. Hopefully the DR partnership will prove to be a benefit - I'd prefer an established SL side to partner with.