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Big Serb Soni Radovanovic will bare his teeth against the giant Batley Bulldogs pack tomorrow – after just one outing for Whitehaven’s reserves.


Soni RadovanovicDespite his lack of experience, boss Ged Stokes is confident the international forward can step up to Championship level (3pm).

“If you look at the forward pack at Mount Pleasant, it’s full of big lads, and we have to match that off the bench,” said Stokes.

“There’s no doubting Soni’s power and he likes the challenge. It would have been preferable for him to first have 20/30 minutes for the reserve-grade today, but he’s going well in training, and I have to make the judgement.

“There’s no doubt about it being physical, but he can cope. It will be a bit faster than he’s used to, though he’s had a few weeks with us in training and is looking pretty good.”

Haven will again be without hooker Graeme Mattinson (shoulder) and winger Craig Calvert, who could be sidelined for a month with a broken hand. There is also a concern over loose-forward Jamie Theoharous, who’s had flu this week. But winger Paul Ballard, brought in on loan form Super League Celtic Crusaders on Thursday, will feature. “He’s a proven performer at this level, a quality winger,” added Stokes. “He’s probably unlucky not to get a go in Celtic’s first-team this season. It’s great to have him.”

www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/have ... Path=sport

Big Serb Soni Radovanovic will bare his teeth against the giant Batley Bulldogs pack tomorrow – after just one outing for Whitehaven’s reserves.


Soni RadovanovicDespite his lack of experience, boss Ged Stokes is confident the international forward can step up to Championship level (3pm).

“If you look at the forward pack at Mount Pleasant, it’s full of big lads, and we have to match that off the bench,” said Stokes.

“There’s no doubting Soni’s power and he likes the challenge. It would have been preferable for him to first have 20/30 minutes for the reserve-grade today, but he’s going well in training, and I have to make the judgement.

“There’s no doubt about it being physical, but he can cope. It will be a bit faster than he’s used to, though he’s had a few weeks with us in training and is looking pretty good.”

Haven will again be without hooker Graeme Mattinson (shoulder) and winger Craig Calvert, who could be sidelined for a month with a broken hand. There is also a concern over loose-forward Jamie Theoharous, who’s had flu this week. But winger Paul Ballard, brought in on loan form Super League Celtic Crusaders on Thursday, will feature. “He’s a proven performer at this level, a quality winger,” added Stokes. “He’s probably unlucky not to get a go in Celtic’s first-team this season. It’s great to have him.”