THREE is the magic number - and Jonny Walker hopes to make the most of that with North Wales Crusaders.

Prop Walker isn't exactly renowned for his try scoring exploits, but he does have a habit of crossing the whitewash against Newcastle Thunder, who visit the Queensway Stadium tomorrow.

Walker crossed in a 60-10 success for Crusaders back in 2012, following that up with another effort in a 50-22 victory over Thunder three years later.

"They say three is the magic number, so I might get another," joked Walker. "I've scored a couple against them over the years, which is strange as it's usually a rare occasion for me to get a try."

Walker would happily swap a potential try for a Crusaders home win, however.

The Wrexham-based outfit have picked three victories this season, only one of which has come on home soil as they dispatched League One whipping boys West Wales Raiders 70-8.

Whitehaven, Oldham and Hunslet have left north Wales with two points this term, while Thatto Heath defeated Crusaders in a Challenge Cup upset.

"We need to chalk up some home wins now," conceded Walker. "We've had good wins at Doncaster and Coventry, but we've not been able to pick up the points at home.

"We've come out on the wrong side in some really close games, but now we've gone back to basics and the stuff we've been working on is the stuff we've needed to improve, so hopefully we can start winning at home."

Newcastle won't be any pushovers though, the fifth placed side a point better off than Crusaders, who are eighth in the table.

"They are a good team, they always have been," said Walker. "They've got some good players and they're a strong outfit, who are tough up the middle.

"They have also got some pace in the backs, so it will be a tough game, but it's one that we are more than capable of winning.

"We've always had good tussles with Newcastle in the past with only four or six points in games, and I expect it to be another close one tomorrow."

And Walker is hoping to play his part in the encounter with plenty of talent at Anthony Murray's disposal.

The experienced campaigner, who is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season, isn't taking inclusion in the matchday squad for granted.

"It's right that whoever is playing well and training well gets a shirt because they deserve one," said Walker.

"We've got a really good squad of players with healthy competition, which is great for the team."