OTLEY will have a spy in the camp when they play Kendal in an intriguing pre-season warm-up match at Mint Bridge on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Ex-Kendal player of the year Nathan Bland, who now lives in York, has signed for the National Division 1 club and is likely to line-up against a Kendal squad which has several injury problems.

Skipper and prop Ian Thompson is sidelined with a hamstring, Billy Coxon has suffered a training setback and is seeing a specialist and Steve Healey (broken finger), Ian Wolstenholme (neck) and Alan Holmes (shin splints) are also out.

Lock Mike Capstick is also unavailable.

Kendal coach Peter Kremer said the absentees confirmed the wisdom of the club's decision to rely upon an enlarged 25-strong squad this season.

"It highlights the necessity for a large playing squad and it means we have people who have been playing together for the past three weeks and who are capable of slotting into the team."

He added: "We are greatly encouraged by how pre-season training has gone apart from the injuries, which are part and parcel of the intensity of committed training that sometimes cannot be avoided.

"You can be sure everyone will be relishing the opportunity to put down a marker to show what they can do against our old friends Otley."

New Zealander Casey Mee is expected to start at scrum-half alongside Mike Scott at stand-off with Jimmy Thompson having trials at Manchester.

Centre Ian Voortman will be having his first match since breaking a leg badly eight months ago.

Rugby League convert Matthew Woodcock from Workington makes his debut to complement the pace and power of Kendal's potential match-winner Jason Balmer on the wings.

In the pack, ex-Orrell Phil Learney is likely to prop with Richard Harryman, while Mike Burnett, from Aspatria, is tipped to turn out at No.

7 to face Bland.

n Admission to the match, which kicks off at 3pm, is £2, £1 concessions.

Penrith have pulled out of another friendly before Kendal's league season start away to Fylde on September 1.