Hood is hoping for a big crowd for Friday's game

Gateshead coach Chris Hood has urged his side to forget the disappointment of Sunday's 72-28 defeat by Halifax in Friday night's visit of Doncaster.

An injury-hit Thunder side were stunned by the leaders in their previous outing but Hood wants his players to start afresh against the Dons.

"If we dwell we'll get stuck in the mud, we'll dust ourselves down and get on with it," he told BBC Newcastle.

"We've already beaten Doncaster and that gives us confidence."

Thunder are likely to hand a debut to on-loan Huddersfield prop Sam Crowther, while Matt Barron and Ryan McBride are also pushing for a return after injury.

Friday's match takes place under the International Stadium floodlights, with Gateshead Football Club also using the facility for their Blue Square North play-off semi-final on Sunday.

And Hood hopes to see a repeat of the atmosphere created at the recent Sheffield win, and hopes the crowd will be bolstered by people travelling through to the weekend's Murrayfield Magic event in Edinburgh.

"I don't know if it's the floodlights, or the fact it's a bit different to the norm that gives it that 'Friday night thriller' type thing," he said.

"We're hoping there are added fans thanks to the Magic weekend at Murrayfield, we've been advertising for those fans who are travelling to stop off in Gateshead and watch the game.

"Hopefully it'll be a carnival atmosphere, something everyone will look forward to and hopefully we'll round it off with a win."

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