Castleford Tigers head coach Ryan Carr admits this weekend’s Challenge Cup clash could come a little too soon for Semi Valemei.
Valemei joined the Tigers from North Queensland Cowboys over what was an off-season of change, with a raft of players coming in from down under. The Fiji international was one of the most exciting signings made but Castleford fans haven’t had the opportunity to see him in action just yet.
That’s because he picked up a hamstring injury in pre-season and after almost two months of treatment, he hasn’t made a full recovery just yet.
Valemei has been named in the 21-man squad to face St Helens at Wheldon Road this weekend by Carr, but the head coach admits that the 27-year-old is likely to just miss out.
“He’s close but probably not,” Carr said when asked about the chances of Valemei taking on the Saints. “He’s probably one more week away, there’s always a temptation to rush him back and get him in, but we also have to make sure that when he is back, he stays back.
“We’re being more cautious than anything but he’s probably a week away.
“There’s a lot of injuries going around. We’re not the only ones but we have to treat each injury as it comes and treat him on his own merits and not compare it anyone else.
“It’s frustrating for him but he’s training really well and he’s doing a good job and that’s all we can ask.”
There is a good chance that Brock Greacen will make his home debut for Castleford Tigers this Saturday, though, with the forward overcoming the issue that has seen him miss all four rounds of the Super League season so far.
“He’ll be a chance,” Carr added. “He’s trained really well and he’s ticking all his boxes there. If he gets through captain’s run then he should be available for selection.
“He brings a lot of energy, Brock. He works really hard and competes really hard for everything, that’s the sort of person and player he is. He brings good leg speed and good aggression to the game.
“He has that bit of old school rugby player about him and that’s something that every team needs. He has a lot of strengths and a lot of attributes that will benefit us, that’s for sure.”
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