Lee Radford on double Castleford Tigers blow, George Lawler’s ban and recruitment

Lee Radford’s Castleford Tigers have been doing it tough so far in 2022.

With two losses to their name and subsequently no points on the board, the West Yorkshire club are up against it to try and turn things around.

Well, they won’t have long to wait with a clash away at Hull KR beckoning on Friday night.

Radford will, however, have to make do without two of his stars after they succumbed to injuries in last week’s defeat at Warrington Wolves.

“Jake Mamo has concussion and won’t be available and Kenny Edwards (will be out) with his calf,” Radford told BBC Radio Leeds.

“It’s a grade two tear which can be anything from a couple of weeks to three to four according to the severity of it – hopefully it will be shorter than longer.”

Another player who won’t be getting picked is George Lawler, who picked up a one-match ban following a shoulder charge from that loss, but two stars may return.

“I think he (Lawler) could have got done for a couple more during the evening, I can understand why (he was giving he ban).

“(Nathan) Massey has got a chance and Adz (Adam Milner) is there or thereabouts.”

With the loss of Danny Richardson to a neck fracture, Radford was quizzed about whether the Tigers would head into the market for a replacement.

“No, Gaz (Gareth O’Brien) is a sufficient replacement – there was going to be competition at the start of the year anyway.

“I think with what happened at the end of pre-season left Gareth by the wayside and rightly so but to have him back now in a good headspace and wanting to improve on last week’s performance.”