Castleford Tigers dealt cruel injury blow with star sidelined for months

Castleford Tigers have been dealt a cruel injury blow with the club confirming that one of their standouts will miss the next four months.

It’s been a season to forget so far for new head coach Danny McGuire with the Tigers winning just one of their opening four Super League games and also being dumped out of the Challenge Cup early on by Bradford Bulls.

Their sole win has come against troubled Salford but it’s now the Tigers who find themselves in trouble with the club confirming that young star Fletcher Rooney has suffered an injury and is expected to miss the next four months. That news comes just weeks after it was confirmed that the teenager had signed a new five-year deal with the club.

Rooney has arguably been the only shining light of Castleford’s season so far with the 19-year-old featuring in every game and scoring two tries, including an incredible score in Round One against Hull KR.

The teenager has averaged 115 metres per game and has been one of the Tigers’ most threatening players out of full-back but he’s now set for a lengthy spell out after sustained a quadriceps injury in training.

That’s the same injury that has seen Hull KR star Rhyse Martin ruled out for a similar length of time.

Castleford Tigers dealt cruel injury blow with star sidelined for months

Castleford Tigers confirmed the news via a club statement which read: “Castleford Tigers can confirm that 19-year-old Fletcher Rooney has sustained a high-grade quadriceps injury during training and is expected to be sidelined for approximately four months.

“The young fullback had made a strong start to the season, but will now focus on his recovery alongside the club’s physiotherapy team.”

Head of Medical Services, Dr Nick Raynor, provided an update on Rooney’s injury:

“It’s really tough to see Fletch sidelined with such an unlucky injury. This one is more complex as it involves the tendon, and as a fullback, his game is built on speed, covering big distances, and kicking—all of which put significant strain on that tendon. We’ll be working hard to make sure he has everything he needs to come back strong.”

The statement concluded: “Rooney will now begin his rehabilitation programme, with the aim of returning to action later in the season.”