If the club is trying to force the issue, maybe they have three quota players already lined up. Don't see the point otherwise.

Maybe Cartwright wants to take a look at him in our first team before making a decision on next year like with Balmforth

Maybe Okunbor is holding the club to ransom. A very costly signing in more ways than one.

We don’t have to pay him off to get the quota spot, could just not register him. Obviously that would mean paying him for nothing though.

Anyone having problems posting on here today?

Scott, Sao, Ashworth all out injured for likely a couple of months each, which likely explains why Okunbor is back. He might be rubbish but we've just lost 3 players for a significant portion of the remaining season, we need bodies.

He's not in the reserves squad for tomorrow

Kye Armstrong
Jordon Baker
Denive Balmforth
Harvey Barron
Jed Cartwright
Lennon Clark
Will Gardiner
Owen Haldenby
Jeylan Hodgson
Zach Jebson
Callum Kemp
Will Kirby
Matty Laidlaw
Davy Litten
Callum Shaw
Liam Tindall
Jon Turner
Joe Ward

Some interesting selections with both who is in and out.

Hopefully it’s just minutes for Balmforth and not the fact Houghton and Smith will be hookers.

You never know.Seems obvious Grix doesnt rate him and has had his nose pushed out since Ritchie Rich and Cartwright interveened and extended his contract

As you say I hope it’s just to get him more minutes during the International break and nothing more. I’d like to think Houghton would play a game in the reserves and not just go straight back in the 17 when he’s back fit, like it should be for all players coming back from an injury or time out the first team.

I'd go with Houghton and Balmforth, not sure Smith is good enough.

Smiths distribution has been very poor. A lot of wayward passes. If HDN are anything to believe it's to build match fitness for Balmforth.

Anyone else notice that Richie hasn't been at the matches recently? He was when he first joined us.

Apparently Grix said in interview that he and Richie used to be good friends. Think they've had a fall out?

Okunbor back but not in the reserves in an odd one for me

Recalling Ok would make sense but weird not to put him in the reserves today. With Sao, Scott, Severs and Staveley all hurt we are short of backrowers and cover at centre.

Can Armstrong play wide? He's been back from injury for a while now and it would be good to see him debut this year.

Pele was named in the Bulls squad but he's been in london all weekend