Connect with us

Championship

Ex-Hull FC man sidelined for extended period in huge Championship club blow

A former Hull FC and Castleford Tigers man has been ruled out for an extended period in a huge blow to one of the Championship’s leading clubs.

Widnes Vikings are looking to build on their play-off finish in 2024 but they’ve been dealt a major blow on the eve of the season with the news that starting hooker Jordan Johnstone will be out for a few months.

The club have confirmed that the former Hull FC man and short-term Castleford Tigers loanee will be out until “at least April” with what is being labelled as a “stress fracture in his back”.

It’s a devastating blow for Johnstone and for Widnes who will have been viewed as contenders after a strong season under Allan Coleman that saw them make the play-offs for the first time since being relegated from Super League in 2018.

Widnes have already beaten Warrington Wolves in pre-season, a game that did not see Johnstone feature with the club’s latest statement confirming that the 27-year-old has been sidelined for much of the pre-season.

Ex-Hull FC man out for months in huge blow for Widnes Vikings

 - 28/04/2024 - Rugby League - Betfred Championship Round 6 - Bradford Bulls v Widnes Vikings - Odsal Stadium, Bradford, England -Widnes Vikings' Jordan Johnstone

Credit: John Clifton/SWpix.com

Johnstone first featured for Widnes in 2016 after signing from his local club Whitehaven but following the Vikings’ relegation, he signed for Hull FC.

Whilst at Hull FC, he played 56 games before returning to the DCBL Stadium although he did have a brief loan spell with Castleford Tigers in 2023 during the club’s injury crisis.

News of Johnstone’s injury was confirmed by the club who shared a statement online reading: “Widnes Vikings can confirm that hooker Jordan Johnstone will be sidelined until at least April after scans revealed he has suffered a stress fracture in his back.

“Johnstone, who penned a new two-year deal last season, has been absent for a large part of pre-season after picking up the injury.

“Following the scans, Johnstone has been advised to rest. The club is hopeful he will be able to resume physical activities from the start of March, where he will then begin his rehabilitation.”

Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “I’m gutted for Jordan after the season he had last year. Unfortunately, he’s had a very disrupted pre-season due to the injury, it’s been very stop-start for him.

“He’s received the results of the scans and has been told he needs to rest, so we just need to be here for him now and support him in his rehab to the fully fit Jordan we know.

“It can be difficult for players mentally when injured but one thing I’ll make sure of is that he’s part of my staff and will be with us on matchdays because he’s such a key figure in this team.”

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Championship