Hull KR take on Salford Red Devils this evening and there’s plenty of uncertainty around the hosts, particularly in the halves.
Man of Steel Mikey Lewis will miss the game after sustaining an ankle injury that forced him from the field in the win over Wakefield Trinity, however, there is good news with the Robins confirming the injury is “not as severe” as initially thought.
Instead of months, it could be just a matter of a couple of weeks before Lewis returns but they’ve got to navigate the tricky test against Salford without him and there are still question marks over his playing partner Tyrone May.
Last week, Willie Peters revealed that an unnamed player had an issue and it turned out to be May with the playmaker missing the game against Wakefield on account of a hamstring injury. Having been named to the 21-man squad this week, questions remain over how ready to go he is.
As for Salford Red Devils, they were finally able to field their full-strength squad after having their takeover approved by the RFL but they still fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Leeds Rhinos. Making matters worse, loose forward Joe Shorrocks was banned with the club’s appeal increasing the sanction from two matches to three.
We’ve picked out our predicted teams for the Hull KR and Salford Red Devils clash, which kicks off a 8:00 pm tonight at Craven Park.
Hull KR predicted team
Credit: John Clifton/SWpix.com
The biggest question around Hull KR is Tyrone May with Peters confirming that there is a plan for “if Tyrone plays” and “one if he doesn’t”, as the Australian head coach explained the club’s plan to give the ex-Catalans man until Wednesday’s fitness test.
That’s been and gone but the news that Lewis’ injury isn’t as bad as first feared could impact the May decision. Were Lewis ruled out for a lengthy period then the Robins would be more likely to wrap May in cotton wool and ensure he’s 100%, however, with the news that Lewis could be back soon there is more incentive to risk him.
Despite that, Peters was right in the argument that Hull KR have plenty of options with Jez Litten a likely candidate to pair alongside Danny Richardson.
Litten’s running threat adds a lot to the Hull KR offence and should he play in the halves then it would mean the resolute defence of Micky McIlorum remains in the pack, with the option of Bill Leyland off the bench if needed.
Alternatively, captain Elliot Minchella could drop into the halves should Litten need to spell in at hooker to relieve McIlorum as that allows workhorse Dean Hadley a shot at loose forward.
Jack Broadbent is another option in the halves with the versatile back a very viable option and possibly the change that equates to the least disruption everywhere else, making him our predicted starter alongside Richardson.
Predicted Hull KR XIII: Niall Evalds; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Jack Broadbent, Danny Richardson; Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; James Batchelor, Rhyse Martin, Elliot Minchella
Interchanges: Jez Litten, Dean Hadley, Jai Whitbread, Kelepi Tanginoa
Salford Red Devils predicted team
As for Salford Red Devils, they need to replace Joe Shorrocks at loose forward following his ban but there are no real injury boosts or blows so it could be a relatively unchanged side outside of the suspended Shorrocks.
Joe Mellor, Ethan Ryan, Sam Stone, Sam Davis and Loghan Lewis all remain absent for Salford but Jack Ormondroyd is available despite heading off after a clash of heads in the tackle that saw Shorrocks banned.
Kai Morgan is a contender to make the bench to offer more spine options with the young utility impressing when given game time, whilst Joe Bullock could also step into the matchday 17.
Predicted Salford Red Devils XIII: Ryan Brierley; Nene Macdonald, Esan Marsters, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross; Jayden Nikorima, Marc Sneyd; Brad Singleton, Chris Atkin, Chris Hill; Shane Wright, Kallum Watkins, Jack Ormondroyd
Interchanges: Kai Morgan, Justin Sangare, Joe Bullock, Matty Foster
