Eddie is Battye about making it big with Wakefield Trinity

The 29-year-old joined from the Championship club last week on a deal until the end of the season and will debut in today’s West Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Giants.

Former Sheffield Eagles forward Battye showed his top-flight pedigree when excelling for the Broncos in Super League last term - his first experience of the highest level - and is someone who has been known to Chester for some time.

With the Championship season cancelled after lockdown, he has been keen to play elsewhere and Trinity feel he could help them out of a five-match losing sequence.

“Eddie will play against Huddersfield and he’s been a breath of fresh air, to be honest,” said Chester, after yesterday’s Captain’s Run.

“He’s brought some real energy to the group. He’s a competitor.

“He wants to learn. I’ve just had 10 minutes before training; he rang me up last night asking to do some individual video.

“He’s really keen and he’s waited a long time for an opportunity like this to arise.

“He’s done it the hard way playing through the Championship, getting picked up from Sheffield, going to London, being part-time, then going full-time, promoted and then getting relegated last year...

“But I thought he was outstanding for the London Broncos last year and the way that the game has changed overnight, these are the kind of players that you need in the team; those that have energy around the middle of the field, have something a little bit different and can play big minutes.

“Eddie can do all of those things.”

Battye, who grew up in Pennistone and started playing with Sheffield amateur club Hillsborough Hawks, can operate at prop or loose forward and has the mobility that is suited to the new ‘six again’ ruling.

Chester - who has not ruled out trying to make the deal permanent - conceded: “I’m looking forward to see how Eddie goes.

“He's only had four or five sessions with us but fitness wise he’s looking really fit.

“He’s a real good person to have in and around the dressing room.

“(Also) when you’re recruiting now you’re looking at smaller bodies and guys that can move really well and have some leg speed.

“You’re looking at big back-rowers who can play in the middle.

“Having said that, as well as people like Eddie who has a really good engine, I thought Joe Westerman was outstanding for us last week. “We started him at lock and moved him up to front-row with Jordy Crowther starting at nine as Kyle Wood had been stood down.”

Chester, who is still without regular props David Fifita and Tini Arona for Covid-related reasons, admitted the deal for Battye came out of “left field” but he does not expect to make any more loan moves.

“There are a lot of agents who have got a lot of Championship players who are busting to get out and play in Super League,” he said, with the Yorkshireman being out of action for six months, his last match being London’s win at York City Knights on March 8.

"You can fully understand that. I have got a relationship with Eddie's agent and it was quite a smooth transition for him.

"I have known him for quite a few years and it felt like a good fit and he has fitted in exceptionally well with the group.

"He is just a player who works hard on his own game and a pleasure to have around the dressing room and a pleasure to coach."

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James Mitchinson