Wakefield head coach Chris Chester is positive about the strength of his squad ahead of their clash against Huddersfield this week, despite being hit by four more positive Covid-19 tests.
Three players and a member of staff came back positive in this week’s round of testing, while a further player and member of staff have also been stood down after track and trace analysis.
It is the latest in a series of coronavirus-related blows to hit Trinity and while Chester admits it’s been an extremely tough few months, he’s still fairly upbeat about Thursday’s game.
“We were made aware (about the positive tests) late last night (Tuesday),” he said. “The three players are obviously isolating now for 10 days, as is the member of staff.
“It’s obviously disappointing for those guys who are having to stand down again. There’s two players who have had to stand down three times now in the space of six or seven weeks so you’ve got to feel for some of these guys that are really going through it.
“It’s another kick in the teeth but we’ve got those guys back that have missed the last couple of weeks through track and trace from the effects of the Catalans trip. We’re looking pretty fit and healthy to be honest.
“It’s just been one nightmare after another, and obviously the performances on the field haven’t been particularly good and it’s been a really frustrating year.
“Not in the fact that we’ve lost the games, it’s frustrating that we can’t string two or three games together. The consistency issue just arises again and is something that we need to address before we start pre-season in the first week of December.”
There was a new face in Wakefield’s 21-man squad this week, with young hooker Harry Bowes named for the first time.
Chester refused to be drawn on whether or not he’ll make his debut on Thursday but insists he’ll play some part before the end of the season.
He added: “The only problem with Harry is that he’s had a week’s training. We only brought him back a week ago.
“So we’ll see how he goes. I’m confident he’s definitely going to get a game over these next two or three weeks.
“Same with people like Yusuf Aydin. Yusuf’s going to get a crack this week.”