ILKLEY are expecting big things from their second row John Pickersgill.

The powerfully-built youngster has established himself in the side in recent weeks in the absence of Pete Small through work and family commitments.

Pickersgill, who has had limited first team opportunities, has pleased head of rugby Rhys Morgan with his promising performance alongside James Spencer.

As his team prepared to return to action at Wirral on Saturday where they will be chasing a sixth National League Three North win in nine games, Morgan highlighted Pickersgill's progress.

He said: "It is a tough job taking over from an experienced campaigner like Pete Small, but John has done really well in recent weeks.

"He has made his presence felt both in the set pieces and around the field. I have also been pleased with the way he has responded to advice we have given him.

"I said at the start of the season that I wanted a young second row to come along and make their mark and it is pleasing that John, a player who has come up through the ranks at Ilkley, has earned his place."

Ilkley's players used last week's break from league action to take part in a sponsored cycle ride to raise funds for the new player shelters the club wishes to purchase.

"It was all a bit of fun and helped us to put something back into the club," said Morgan.

Player-coach Stevie Graham, who missed Ilkley's win over Cleckheaton two weeks ago, is set to return at hooker at Wirral while Ilkley will have some touch choices to make over the composition of the back division now that everybody is fit again.

Last season's top try scorer Ben Magee was on the bench against Cleckheaton and he will be itching to get a starting place in an Ilkley side that has adapted well to National League Three North.