Castleford Tigers are “interested” in Hull FC forward Jordan Lane, but coach Danny McGuire says nothing has been finalised.
The Hull Daily Mail has linked Lane, who is out of contract at the end of this season, with Tigers on a long-term deal beginning in 2026.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference this morning, Castleford Tigers boss McGuire revealed he is an admirer of Lane and feels the 27-year-old’s best rugby is still ahead of him.
“He is somebody I like as a player and somebody who has probably not unearthed his potential,” McGuire said. “He has still got a lot left in him.
“He is a Hull player at the minute and nothing has been finalised as yet, but he’d be somebody we are interested in and conversations are on-going for players for next year.
“I respect Hull FC and he is playing for them at the minute, so until anything’s announced, I can’t really say too much.”
Castleford Tigers boss outlines recruitment plans
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Tigers, who are yet to win in 2025 and have a lengthy injury list, are still looking to recruit for this season.
Winger Lee Kershaw is set to make his second appearance on loan from Hull KR in Sunday’s derby at Leeds Rhinos and McGuire said: “Middle is a priority – we probably need more competition in that area.
“Physically we struggled a bit against a big St Helens side last week so that’s something we are trying to address, but it is what it is at the minute.
“We are working hard and all the players are tipping in and doing everything possible to try and play well this week.
“There’s always stuff going on on the periphery, but my focus is on preparing the players and getting them ready for Sunday.”
Half-back Rowan Milnes has yet to play this year after suffering a knee injury in pre-season, but is now in light training, though McGuire said he won’t be available this weekend.
“He is doing a fair bit of practice and he is moving well,” McGuire reported. “He has still got a few things he has to tick medically before he can go into full contact so I would estimate he’ll be back after the Challenge Cup break [on the weekend of March 14-16].
“We are not in the Challenge Cup so we get to train and work hard in that week and hopefully he should come into full training around then.”
McGuire will name an initial 21-man squad to face Leeds at noon tomorrow and predicted it will be “very similar” to last week’s.
“We’ve got no one coming back and there’s a few bumps and bruises we are checking on,” he said.
“We haven’t finalised the team yet, but the way I am thinking at the minute is it is a chance for the players who didn’t perform the way we wanted them to last week to respond. As a coach you have got to have that trust and belief they will go out and do that for you.”
