Castleford Tigers man in training after latest injury setback

Callum McLelland last played in Super League towards the end of the 2021 Super League campaign.

In his third and final season at Leeds Rhinos after joining at the end of 2018 after a brief stint in rugby union after coming through the Castleford Tigers’ academy, he came off the bench in Leeds’ fourth last game of the regular season in the midst of a play-off battle.

However, he was then helped from the field before returning to Castleford but didn’t play a game in 2022 as he faced a 16-month struggle against injury.

He seemed set to return to action on New Year’s Eve against Featherstone Rovers – who he represented in 2019 in the Million Pound Game on dual registration – but he was absent after a hamstring issue.

However, he has now been pictured in training once again after this setback.

✊ New year. Same focus.

🐅 https://t.co/zJ1Yuu1RSY #COYF pic.twitter.com/m2jEUyLdrN

— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) January 5, 2023

He previously spoke about returning from his 16-month battle: “It’s amazing [to be back] it’s been 16 and half months so it’s been a very long time.

“It’s been nice to get a ball in my hands, be amongst the lads and show what I can do. It has been an exciting experience.”

He then elaborated on the struggles he has had in recovery:

“It was up and down all year. I made some real good progress up to Christmas getting my legs stronger and gradually building with Matty but got to a point where I couldn’t make much progress so got it cleaned out, there was a bit of build up in my knee so we got that cleaned out.

“Ever since then, there wasn’t really any chance of me playing until the back end of the year so it’s been about those building blocks in pre-season and touch wood it has been going good so far.

“It’s been good to be back, I’m really competitive so that probably hasn’t helped when I should be taking it back but it doesn’t matter if I feel a bit sore.”