JONNY WALKER believes North Wales Crusaders are close to challenging with the very best sides in League One.

Last week’s 30-14 loss at Doncaster left the Wrexham side 11th in the table with their sole victory coming away at Newcastle Thunder last month.

Sunday’s clash against London Skolars at The Racecourse (2.30pm) gives Crusaders the chance to quickly make amends for that defeat and club captain Walker feels they are beginning to recover from the loss of key players such as Karl Ashall, Joe Burke and Christiaan Roets, who all departed after the playing staff were asked to take a ‘significant’ pay cut during a turbulent pre-season.

“Of course, everything which has gone on is going to affect you and each player had a decision to make, whether to stay or whether to move on,” the long-serving prop said.

“As you’d expect here, there’s no bad feeling to anyone who has left the club. Players like Christiaan, Karl and Joe, it’s taken away the core of the team.

“But there’s still a strong unit that have stayed here and we’ve got lots of passion for North Wales Crusaders. It’s been a tough decision but I think everyone who has stayed is enjoying the challenge.

“It was a good performance at Doncaster, just a few errors here and there which has cost us in the second-half.

“We’re really not far away from the beating the better sides and we’ve certainly got a good squad together now.

“I spoke to Muzz this week and I think we just need to eradicate some individual errors and we’d almost be there. 

“The win at Newcastle proved that we’ve got it in us and the squad is far from week. 

“Some of the new signings have been very good and Kenny Baker played out of his skin at Doncaster.

“Muzz has made some excellent signings and there’s still plenty of experience there with the likes of myself, Tommy Johnson, Ste Wild, and I think we can challenge anyone in this division on our day.

“I’m enjoying the club captaincy but I’ve not really changed because of it. We have lots of captains at the club, and it’s up to the senior players to guide some of the younger lads through.

“You see some of the young players getting a bit lost in matches and it’s times like that you’ve just got to have a quick word and keep them on track. 

“It’s a difficult game rugby league to be thrown into at a young age.”

Walker believes this weekend’s clash with seventh-placed Skolars and next week’s encounter against bottom-club Hemel Stags provide the perfect chance for Crusaders to get their campaign back on track.

“We’ve got back-to-back games against London and Hemel that we feel we can win,” Walker said.

“London are a big, tough side but I think we’re capable of beating them if we’re on our game. 

“We then face Hemel and it would be brilliant if we could pick up two wins, it’d be a right boost for everyone connected with the club and take us onto three wins and in with a chance of making the top eight.”

- Chester Gladiators host Division Two side Widnes Tigers in the NWML Trophy tomorrow.