Reynolds return a silver lining for undermanned Broncos

It’s a case of grey skies and silver linings for the injury-hit Broncos who face another tough challenge this week, taking on the Cowboys without a number of their biggest stars.

While they remain without Reece Walsh with a facial fracture and Payne Haas with a knee injury, skipper Adam Reynolds has been named to return from a knee complaint of his own after missing last week’s loss to the Panthers.

However, their forward pack was dealt another blow with Brendan Piakura ruled out after limping from a wet Red Hill field with a sprained ankle at training on Tuesday.

Forward Fletcher Baker made his first starting appearance for his new club last week in place of Haas and said it was a case of ‘next man up' for the Broncos once again this week, with Jaiyden Hunt named for his club debut.

“Obviously, we've got a couple of boys out at the moment, but I think we're just focusing on playing our best footy, we also haven't played that well in the first couple of rounds," Baker said. 

"If we can start playing good footy and start winning, start getting some good wins, imagine when those boys come back.

"(Right now) it's that next man up (mentality) as well, so it will be a better challenge for us.

“(Hunt is) a workhorse, he played good football at Dragons and he's a good back rower.

"Last week in the [Hostplus] Cup, he played some in the middle too, so I think he's getting that utility role."

Tristan Sailor, who ably filled in for Walsh last season during his suspension and Origin commitments, has also been named to fill in at fullback.

Staring at the possibility of a 1-3 start to this season, Baker knows the Broncos pack will need to step up against the Cowboys who are finding form, with the likes of Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neale wreaking havoc against the Dragons.

“Last week's behind us now, we didn't play our best football when it was against a top team, so I think we got found out there," Baker said. 

"But Cowboys are a good challenge for us as well, and we're looking to bounce back, so hopefully that's our game.

"If you look at our line-up, we've got a very good team and we need to put it together.

"There's no dramas at the moment; it's early rounds and if it was later in the year,  there might be a bit of panic, but it's all good now, we'll start playing school football."

The injury toll has also opened the door for a return to the NRL of Corey Oates, who has been included on the bench.

The representative winger has spent some time training with the forwards this week, with Baker backing the 201-game veteran to perform there if needed.

“Oatesy, he's obviously a legend of the club, and backrow is not his position, but (he has played there before); it'd be pretty cool personally for myself to play with him too," Baker said. 

"You just grow up watching people like that, and if he can come in, that's a big role for us, too.

"You have just got to look at how he played in Origin back in the day.

"He's still got that football, too, so if he can handle Origin, he can handle anything really, so if he does come in, I'm sure he'll do a job for us."

The Good Friday derby match will also pay tribute to former Cowboys and Broncos forward Carl Webb, who passed away in December last year after battling motor neurone disease.