Daryl Powell gives worrying injury update and sheds light on potential signings

Daryl Powell’s Castleford Tigers are doing it tough at the moment and ahead of a league and cup double-header against Salford, the head coach gave a lengthy injury update.

“I think Dan Smith will be ok for next week, similarly George Griffin,” Powell said.

“We’ve got a few injuries from games that are hanging about and potentially could push them back further, but we’ve got some good young players here that we want to have a look at – Lewis Peachey and Brad Martin will get opportunities to show what they are about.

“Alex Foster is about six weeks away, he had a bad injury in pre-season and Sui Matagi maybe three weeks, he’s getting close.

“We’ve got quite a few injuries at he moment and pretty much all of them are game related injuries and they’re pretty tough those ones.

The Castleford boss is, however, hopeful of welcoming some important men back in the next few weeks.

“We will have potentially three, four or five players available next week, but both games are important even though next week is a knockout game and we need to get it right.

“I’m not sure about Jordan Turner, he’s got a bit of a groin injury that he picked up last week; he will still be a doubt at this stage, but we’ve got over a full week to monitor him.

“Peter Mata’utia is ok too, i think he was just tired! He’s been training fine all week and there are no issues with him.”

With so many players out, there have been calls to delve into the loan or transfer market, but Powell is keen to stay away from that.

“We’ve got hungry young players, obviously Lewis Bienek has been playing a few games and Sam Hall who hasn’t played yet.

“We don’t need to loan anyone as well; we’ll give young players the opportunity and I’m pleased with their progress.”

One star who is still sat on the sidelines after enjoying a stellar 2020 is Jacques O’Neill and Powell is eager to get the forward back on the field, especially after his England Knights call-up.

“We’re looking to get him back from the couple of injuries he’s got, but last year he stepped up massively and he was in eye-catching form before he got injured towards the back end of the season.

“It’s a good opportunity for him and we need to get him on the field so he can show what he can do – he’s a real player for the future.

“He’s still a few weeks away so we’ll have to wait and see how he goes.”