ANTHONY MURRAY is confident he has the squad to take North Wales Crusaders forward after a month of rebuilding. 

A host of first-team players - including Karl Ashall, Jamie Dallimore, Joe Burke and Christiaan Roets - have left Crusaders in recent weeks after the squad were subject to a second ‘significant’ pay cut in as many months, with the squad reduced to 14 men for their League One home defeat against Barrow Raiders on March 4. 

However, there have been positive developments over the past fortnight, with key players Stephen Wild, Stuart Reardon and Andy Moulsdale all agreeing new deals at the Wrexham-based club, with Alex Thompson also penning a fresh contract. 

In addition, head coach Murray has confirmed the signings of brothers Andy and Ricky Joy from Oldham, while Tommy Holland and Elliot Liku are back from loan spells at Coventry Bears. All four could be involved against Rochdale Hornets at The Racecourse on Good Friday (2.30pm). 

“I got in touch with Andy and asked him whether he’d be interested in returning to Crusaders,” Murray said. 

“I told him about the squad rebuild here and he wanted to be part of it and has brought his brother in too which is great. 

“With Tommy and Elliot returning the squad has suddenly got a much better shape to it, and I’d hope now that we can begin to plan ahead with a settled squad and knowing who we’ve got to pick from. 

“With Stuart, Andy and Stephen all returning, it means we’ve got plenty of experience back in the squad, so it enables me to blood some of the younger players and they hopefully won’t be under as much pressure. We’ve just got to keep it going now. 

“We’ll hopefully have some of the dual-reg players back from Salford again for the Rochdale game, but we’ll see who they are later this week, and I’ll speak with Ian to see who is available to us.” 

Cru picked up their first win of the season at Newcastle Thunder in their last outing, claiming a 24-20 success despite trailing twice. 

Murray hailed the performances of experienced duo Jonny Walker and Lee Hudson, as well as highlighting the impact of try-scorers Earl Hurst and Ryan Smith, who were close season recruits to The Racecourse. 

“It was a fantastic result up at Newcastle, we showed great character having twice fallen behind and our lads really dug in,” he explained. 

“Fair play to Newcastle, they’re a good side and will up there this season. But we had a game plan and even when we were losing we stuck to it and it’s paid off. 

“It’s not just the two points but the confidence boost it gives all the squad. It’s a great morale boost after everything which has gone in. At the end of the day, these are the players we signed in the summer and we’ve got every confidence in them, but you still need that first win to kickstart the season. 

“I was very impressed with Earl Hurst, he got a nice try and did a lot of good things. Ryan Smith took his tries well, Jack Hansen had some really good moments, and then the likes of Lee Hudson and Jonny Walker were as hard working as always. 

“We’ve lost six or seven real quality players, so to go to Newcastle and claim the win is great credit to the squad and I was delighted.” 

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