LEE Smith is confident Latchford's future looks bright after pitting the club's youngsters against their current first-team crop in training.

Latchford travel to Wigan Spring View on Saturday, boosted by the return of Danny Brown and Ryan Hickman from England Lionhearts' tour of Serbia.

Brown scooped man of the match during the Test match.

The pair rejoin a Latchford side who have entertained the club's youth during their two-week break.

“Having two weeks' rest has hopefully helped players carrying injuries recover and allowed us to integrate the under 16s into our training schedule so they can learn from our current first team players," said Smith.

"We’re bringing them in now with a view to building another strong 18s squad next year.

"With the quality I’ve seen already, we will be highly competitive again with our next group of players to come through.

"We still need to add some more bodies to the squad and with the facilities we will have at our disposal next season I’m sure we will recruit well.

"Spring View will be a good contest and I’m sure it will be a tight game but I’m confident our middle unit will put in a big performance and our backs will follow suit, this game is all about getting our process right this week and following through on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Woolston Rovers look to bounce back from defeat at Hunslet Club Parkside when they entertain Thornhill Trojans at Hillock Lane in Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Three on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

“We have a lot of improving to do ahead of the Thornhill game," said head coach John Fieldhouse, whose side sit fifth.

"We know that they will come to us full of confidence after a good start to the season.

"They are another tough Yorkshire side that will fancy their chances, but we must ensure that we are ready to match them in every department.

"I hope to have upto five more players available for the game which should make us a bit stronger. I am certain that once we get a settled side then we will cause teams a lot of problems.

“Even though they are unbeaten and top of the league it was still disappointing to have suffered such a defeat.

"Our completion rate when we had the ball was only 25% and you are not going to win any games with the statistics.

"The only positive to come out of the match was our scrambling defence and that helped to restrict the damage.

"We failed to put any pressure on their try line and that is something we will need to look at in training.”

Rovers A visit Leigh Miners Rangers A in the North West Men's League following a week's rest.

Coach Andy Addison said: “Miners have had a good start to the season, but we will be looking to go there and give a good account of ourselves.

"If we can do that, then there is no reason why we cannot get the right result.

"We showed glimpses of what we are capable of against Orrell St James a fortnight ago and, if we manage to improve our completion rate, then we will create problems for them.

"Hopefully we will then finish our chances.”

Rylands, who were left to rue missed opportunities in a 32-14 defeat at Haydock on Saturday, visit West Bank.

“We will continue to work hard to put things right and regroup," said head coach Matt Wilson.

"Confidence is still high, and I should have my international lads back – captain Matt Taylor and Luke Walker – and a few of our new signings available. We're in good shape; we will go to West Bank to try and cause them some problems.

"We've jumped four divisions in two seasons, and have to learn to be more clinical."