Castleford Tigers boss provides injury update on key player

Castleford Tigers Head Coach Andy Last has provided an update on key player Gareth Widdop, after the versatile back was not included in the Tigers 21-man-squad to face Hull KR. 

Speaking to the media today, Last said: “He picked up a hefty dead leg after the Hull FC game, and the quads have taken a fair bit of swelling and a little bit of a bleed. He should be able to go Friday, was touch and go for this week but  he’s not been able to get through the Tuesday session, so we made decision to not select him in the squad.”

He later explained when Widdop would be back in the squad. “All being well, [he will be] back for Huddersfield.”

Widdop has been a crucial cog in the Ford’s backline this season, featuring at full-back and in the halves, however they will be without him this week.

Andy Last also provided an update on new arrivals Alex Foster and Billy Tsikrikas.

The pair are both included in the wider squad to face the Robins on Friday, and look set to feature in the match-day 17.

“What we need to do is focus on being the best version of ourselves and really hoping that Billy and Fozzy (Alex Foster) contribute some real strong performances when they actually get onto the pitch. We need a big performance and they’re just part of the 17 that are taking the field against Hull KR.” Said Last

He also spoke on the players more widely.

On Billy Tsikrikas, Last said: “Billy is a very educated, smart, rugby league man. He’s got good experience, played in the New South Wales Cup, which is a strong competition. He had a couple of games in Canterbury’s top team back in 2022 and did a really, really good job in those games.”

He added: “He’s got good legs and feet and he’s a big body so he gives us a little bit of that presence when you look to your bench there’s some real presence there so I’m looking forward to seeing more of what Billy can do.”

Last also gave his thoughts on Alex Foster. He said: “he’s stepped in to the back row, someone who can cover numerous positions off the bench and he’s someone who’s got great experience not only of Castleford but of Super League and he’s going to be a good acquisition for us.”