Ryan Carr has released an injury update on the majority of his Castleford Tigers squad, with the boss revealing the latest on plenty of players.
Before he spoke on individuals, the former Featherstone Rovers boss and St George Illawarra assistant said that the strength and depth of the squad was: “A lot better than what it had been previously.
“We’ve got a lot of competition for spots at the moment, which is good, which is a pleasing thing.
“I’ve got some tough decisions to make about who’s in and who misses out. The players know that, so let’s hopefully bring out the best of our performance.
“Earlier in the year we had performances we weren’t pleased with. As we said all along, if you don’t do your job, someone else will take it off you. And it’s the same concept. If you do do your job, you stay in it.
One man that won’t feature this week is Brock Greacen, who failed a HIA in last week’s defeat to Leigh.
“He’s all right,” Carr said on the Australian forward. “He was pretty bad on the night of the game, but he’s been all right since. He’s just in his protocol at the moment.”
In a boost, however, George Hirst will return from suspension this week, as the Tigers’ back row options are strengthened even further.
More positive news sees long-term absentee Blake Taaffe progressing well as he recovers from an ACL injury. The full-back suffered the blow in round one, and will have to wait until 2027 to make his return.
On Taaffe, Carr said: “He’s on schedule. He will (have a good return). He will because he’s a professional and he competes hard and rugby league’s his life. He’ll come back in good shape.
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Castleford Tigers boss issues Liam Hood and Jack Brown latest
Former Hull KR man Jack Brown could make his debut this week, after missing out last week against the Leopards.
Carr confirmed that the forward is “definitely a potential” debutant, and is part of this week’s travelling squad.
Liam Hood meanwhile, is in a “really good spot,” after being given some positive news from a neck specialist.
Hood injured his next in the win over Wigan Warriors, with doctors left astounded as to how there was no break given the damage done.
Carr said: “He started to return to training and being the competitor he is, he’s obviously wanting to do more and more every day.
“We’ve got to go through the right channels and make sure that we get confirmation off the specialists and they’re happy [for him to return] and there’s a bit to go through.
“If we can shave a week off or two weeks off, we’d be stoked with that.
“…He’s one of the toughest people I’ve ever coached, and to see him like that’s never nice, but fortunately, he’s come out the other side of it. We’re excited to get him back for sure.”
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