Gateshead coach Chris Hood believes Thursday's televised visit of Sheffield in the Championship can be the catalyst for an improvement in their form.

Thunder sit bottom of the table after three defeats from four games and Hood hopes his side is boosted by the prospect of a match before the cameras.

"We want to make sure we get back to winning ways in front of a big crowd," he told BBC Look North.

"Players want to show how good they are. There's a great club here."

Meanwhile Thunder have also been lifted by the news that they will be able to stage their Challenge Cup fifth round tie with Oldham on Saturday, 9 May at Darlington Football Club's Arena home.

With the International Stadium previously booked and despite having to shift the tie away from their traditional home, Hood believes the switch is an opportunity to raise awareness of the sport in an unfamiliar region.

It's going to be a fantastic place to play, wonderful facilities, it's going to be great for everybody Chris Hood

"We're going to go to a fantastic stadium, it will be the first time the sport has been taken to County Durham," he added.

"There's obviously a big football and rugby union culture around Darlington but rugby league sells itself, it's a great spectator sport.

"It's going to be a fantastic place to play, wonderful facilities, it's going to be great for everybody and will only add to the spectacle itself."

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