Hull KR will be without the services of Matt Parcell for at least two months after he sustained an ankle injury in last Friday’s defeat to Huddersfield.
The Robins have also lost loan star Harvey Livett for Thursday’s visit of Castleford after he failed to recover from a concussion picked up in the game against the Giants.
It’s the news on Parcell that is particularly damaging for Rovers going forward though, with the former Leeds hooker suffering a similar long-term injury to that of teammates Weller Hauraki, Adam Quinlan and Jordan Abdull.
“We’re having our fair share of injuries to experienced players in key positions at present and that is unfortunate as it really does impact on momentum, both individually for the players involved but also collectively for us as a team,” Smith told the club’s website.
“They have each been very similar injuries in nature but we’ve studied how they were sustained and they have just been cases of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“There has been nothing we could have done to have prevented them so it’s something you have to handle. It’s all part of the trials and tribulations of Super League and you simply have to get on with it and handle it.
Hull KR already have a mounting injury list less than a month into the new season. Credit: Richard Long/News Images
“Hopefully it is just our turn to have a bit of misfortune at present and we’ll soon be able to get the boys all back out on the pitch together.”
Parcell’s injury comes just two games after returning to action, with the 2017 Super League Dream Team member missing the final five of the 2019 campaign.
Smith also revealed that the absence of Warrington loanee Livett will provide an opportunity for the ever-improving Matty Gee.
“Matty will get his chance as a result of Harvey missing out and he is champing at the bit as he played exceptionally well for Dewsbury the last time out and their coach was really pleased with how he went,” Smith added.
“These injuries are not ideal and certainly have a big impact on consistency of performance and combinations, but they do provide an opportunity for our younger and emerging players to gain valuable experience and show what they can do.”
In better news for the East Hull outfit, back-rower George Lawler is expected to be available to face the Tigers, however, half-back Jamie Ellis is still sidelined.
