Molenaar itching to face Pirates

Molenaar has twice been named in the National One team of the year

Nottingham vice-captain Tim Molenaar is itching to play a part in Sunday's crucial fifth-round National Trophy match against Cornish Pirates.

The centre has been out of action for four months after damaging ligaments in his foot against Exeter in November.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It was a bit hazy as to how long it would take to recover and I'm not a good spectator so the frustration has been massive.

"This weekend coming is a big one and I hope I can get some time on the pitch."

Molenaar, 27, added: "I've been spending a lot of time in the gym and getting right physically. I've been running for about two weeks and the biggest thing now is to get fitness back.

"Match fitness is the big one. Nothing compares to playing. I'll probably need three weeks before I can get back to match fitness. My main issue is getting on the pitch and having some game time."

Green and Whites skipper Craig Hammond was thrilled to have Molenaar back in the squad.

"It is a huge bonus to have Tim back this week," he said.

"He's a huge threat with the ball in hand and his presence in the midfield opens up a lot of space for players around him.

"He has been really grumpy the last few weeks as his comeback gets closer and closer and I think he is looking forward to taking his aggression out.

"He has spent the last 14 weeks in the gym and he is looking huge. He was tough to stop before but the opposition sides are going to have even more problems now!"

Nottingham and Pirates were due to play their fifth-round tie last weekend, but heavy snow led to the game being postponed.

We will be gunning for the Pirates on Sunday, and hoping to book our place in the quarter-final

Nottingham captain Craig Hammond

With promotion out of the question now for fourth-placed Nottingham, the National Trophy is the only opportunity for silverware this season, and Hammond is aware just how much the competition means to both the fans and players.

"We will be gunning for the Pirates on Sunday, and hoping to book our place in the quarter-final."

Sunday's match kicks off at the earlier than usual time of 1400 GMT with admission for children a �1.

Victory would set the Green & Whites up for a quarter-final tie with National League Two side Mounts Bay, who play at the Pirates' old home ground, Mennaye Field, in Penzance.

Nottingham: Savage, Cobden, Nirmalendran, Dodge, Jackson, Taylor, Pilgrim; Parr, Duffey, Harris, Morley, Rouse, Hammond, Sherriff, Montagu. Reps: Fowkes, Loney, McDonald, Elphinston, Davies, Thompson, Molenaar.

Cornish Pirates: Vacakegu, Moore, Devlin, Winn, Winnan, Jones, Fairhurst; Cook, Dawidiuk, Heard, Senekal, Gulliver, Cowan, Motusaga, Evans. Reps: Paver, Franklin, Davey, Burak, Morgan, Luke, Whatling.