WHARFEDALE will have their talisman back on Saturday for one of their biggest games of the season.

Skipper James Doherty, who has only played five matches so far in 2015-16, is on the replacements bench for the second-from-bottom Greens at cellar dwellers Cinderford.

“James has been put through a full week’s training and it is a massive boost having him return,” admitted Wharfedale coach Tom McGee.

Doherty has been recovering from headaches after being spear tackled during last April’s Yorkshire Cup final against Harrogate at West Park Leeds, and his spark, experience and leadership has been sorely be missed by the Dalesmen as they bid for a 21st successive season in the third tier.

They have won only three of their 17 matches in gaining 21 points, which is three better than Cinderford but one inferior to Henley and six worse than Blaydon, who came away from The Avenue 27-13 victors last Saturday.

McGee added: “I was very, very disappointed by our lack of intensity considering it was such a big game.

“It was the worst one of the season for me, and I even think that them bringing in four Newcastle Falcons players could work in our favour.

“The scrum was fine against a team who I consider to have the best scrum in the division but we didn’t play with the tempo and urgency that we needed to.

“We didn’t hit them hard early and we didn’t play with enough energy. The game-plan was to attack their short side and outer channels.

“James Doherty spoke to the players afterwards very passionately, and we now need to summon up that backs-to-the-wall Wharfedale spirit, attitude and mentality that has served us so well in the past.

“I know that we have the talent and the ability. We just need that collective will and character.

“Saturday is another big game but they all are now.”

AFTER the disheartening defeat at the hands of a revitalised and reinforced Blaydon, Wharfedale now look ahead to a trip to Cinderford, a venue where they have seldom played well and won only once.

But the match against the bottom side is crucial. An ominous gap appears to be developing between the three bottom sides and the rest, so with a home fixture next week against third-bottom Henley the Greens need no reminding of the need to reverse their recent performances in the Forest of Dean.

Having added Maxime Labasse, Oliver Fewtrell and Simon Willet to the already heavily-populated injury list, the Wharfedale selectors will be relieved to be able to give some game time to club captain James Doherty, who is named on the bench after missing so many matches.

Jamie Guy moves to full back to make way for Will Bell at stand off and Cameron Hudson returns.

Wharfedale: Jamie Guy; Matt van Sertima, Cameron Hudson, Huw Morgan, Dan Tai; Will Bell, Philip Woodhead; Chris Steel, Steve Graham, Riccardo Cano, George Hedgley, Alex Powell, Josh Burridge (c), Chris Howick, Rob Baldwin.
Replacements: Joe Altham, Jordon Poole, Ali Wade, James Doherty, Harry Bullough.
Meanwhile a lightweight Foresters side, having managed a draw against Blaydon in the heavy going on the back pitch, play an intriguing home fixture against Tynedale, who head the Northern Pilot League table by virtue of a bonus-point win over Hull Ionians. Kick-off is at 2:00pm.