Castleford Tigers are in a major injury crisis at the moment but there has been some hugely positive news with Craig Lingard revealing that George Lawler has been released from hospital.
News broke last week that George Lawler had suffered a seizure in the night which had led to him being hospitalised and the discovery of a bleed on his brain.
Now, just a week later it’s been confirmed that the 28-year-old is back home and even intends to attend the club’s captains’ run on Saturday ahead of their Challenge Cup clash with Wigan Warriors.
The 28-year-0ld’s hospital admission was a huge scare for all in the Rugby League community and during Castleford’s 36-24 win over Salford Red Devils last week, chants of ‘there’s only one George Lawler’ boomed around Wheldon Road in the 10th minute, reflecting his shirt number.
Craig Lingard has now revealed to BBC West Yorkshire how the forward is faring: “I’m hoping George is going to come into the building on Saturday morning at the team run just to show his face.
“He’s back home, he was released from hospital last weekend after a 48-hour period in hospital and he’s back at home and obviously, he’s got issues where he can’t drive at the minute so getting him into training on a daily basis isn’t the main focus for us as yet, it’s making sure that George is right and.
“He’s going to come in on Saturday I think and just get round the boys and then a bit of the game on Sunday, hopefully as well so that the fans can maybe give him a little bit of an ovation.”
What is next for George Lawler?
Credit: Imago Images
Obviously, the main takeaway is that the 28-year-old is home and with his family but as yet his future in the sport remains unclear with plenty of tests set to happen yet.
Lawler signed for Castleford Tigers from Hull KR ahead of the 2022 season and has so far made 50 appearances for the club, his Super League tally standing at over 120.
Whether he’ll add to that any time soon remains uncertain, Craig Lingard stating: “You wouldn’t know, mate. He’s got to see the neurologist and go through a lot of tests.
“I think it’s a given that when you have any sort of brain injury, you’ve got to go through the protocols and do what’s right for your health, not what’s right for sport.
“There will be certainly no issues and no pressure from us as a club or me as a coach to get him through these tests as soon as possible and get him back out on the field because ultimately we’ve got to do what’s best for George’s health and rugby and sport takes a back seat to this one.”
As an estimate, Lingard forecasted a lengthy spell on the sidelines but asserted that all medical advice would be followed with the player understandably being the priority.
Lingard noted: “I can’t see there being any sort of immediate turnaround or decision on this. It’s got to be thought through properly and it’s got to be thorough as well because if he does return, he’s got to return because it’s fully safe for him to do so.”
Castleford Tigers take on Wigan Warriors at home on Sunday as they hope to progress to the Challenge Cup semi-final.
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