JAMES Croker has placed special emphasis on his senior charges ahead of tomorrow’s big test against Trowbridge in the Dorset & Wilts Cup.

The Oakmeadians coach welcomes back Army Sevens Fijian flier Malakai Magnus for the quarter-final clash at Meyrick Park (2.30pm), but is missing Chris Hicks, Hayden Hokianga, Tim Flower and Tom Blackburn.

But Croker insists his glut of experienced heads and strength in depth can more than make up for a host of injuries and unavailability.

Croker said: “We won’t be back to full-strength until January, but we’ve got a very strong squad out.

“We’ve had a big thing on senior players and what makes one and that is why the likes of Mike Richards and George Leyland have been amazing assets.

“They don’t miss training and when they turn up they are concentrating for the whole time. Their conduct is outstanding, so to get guys like that and Malakai, Bunny (Burenivalu) and Dale Smith from the start of the season, along with guys like Will (Croker) and Hayden, means it is starting to come together.”

Croker’s Fijian recruitment drive, meanwhile, has seen him secure the services of wing Eroni Ciriki – like Burenivalu and Magnus, a Marchwood-based Royal Logistics Corp officer and Army Sevens star.

Croker added: “We’ve recruited quite heavily over the past two weeks and have picked up another batch of Fijians. Eroni played in the Royal Logistics Corp team that reached the semi-finals of the Bournemouth Sevens.

“It’s a boost to have Malakai back as well. He was injured but trained this week. He is good and there’s no getting around that – everybody knows he is a special talent.”

Oaks: Magnus, Osborne, Hare, Notobartolo, Ciriki, Tryska, Harman, Bongard, Atkins, Smith, W Croker, Hudson, Richards, Stradwick, Leyland. Subs: R Stephenson, M Stephenson, Hymers, Stephens