Castleford Tigers bolster their squad with three loan returns as Lee Radford tinkers with injury crisis

Castleford Tigers have confirmed the recalling of three players who are currently out on loan.

Whitehaven RLFC have confirmed that after consultation with Castleford Tigers, Cain Robb, Jason Qareqare and Kieran Hudson have been recalled by the Super League club due to them only having 17 fit players.

The Cumbrian club has revealed that it will sit down with the Tigers next week to discuss the possibility of Robb, Qareqare and Hudson returning next week or at the earliest possible opportunity when the Tigers’ injury crisis eases.

Robb had made seven appearances so far in 2022 on loan from the Tigers and quickly became a mainstay in the squad due to injuries in the hooker role.

Meanwhile, Qareqare sensationally burst on the scene for Tigers making his debut as a schoolboy and has made nine appearances for Cas scoring eight tries including seven tries in six appearances in 2022.

Down to the bare bones, Lee Radford has galvanised his side to a brilliant fifth place despite the loss of the likes of Jake Trueman and Jordan Turner.

However, Radford will again have to tinker against Wakefield Trinity on Friday with both Gareth O’Brien and Alex Mellor out due to concussion protocol and Nathan Massey out for the season.

“Both aren’t available with concussion protocols. Obviously it’s a bit of a loss,” Radford told BBC Radio Leeds.

“It leaves us with 17 players, losing players every week is difficult to get some continuity in your side so there will be chopping and changing.”

One man who won’t be moving from his position is makeshift stand-off Greg Eden who, despite starting at fullback in the demolition of Hull FC last Friday, played over an hour at number six.

“Greg Eden has done a really good job for us and he looks more like a stand off every week, with fullback we’ve got Jason Qareqare who played there last week

“They (injuries) are coming thick and fast but as I’ve said the group are really digging in and swimming harder against the tide at the moment.

“As long as we can continue to do that we are within a chance of winning every weekend.”

Castleford currently enjoy a 17-match winning streak over Wakefield, with Trinity in dire need of a win considering their current league position at the bottom of the Super League table.

Willie Poching’s men went down narrowly to St Helens at the weekend in a 13-12 defeat which will give the West Yorkshire side confidence heading into this Friday’s fixture.

Trinity were leading for most of the game before Saints were able to force the hosts into golden point in terrible conditions, until Jack Welsby slotted over a drop goal to break Wakefield hearts.