Castleford Tigers dealt long-term injury blow as Danny McGuire talks transfer plan

Castleford Tigers are reeling from a new long-term injury blow which could force them back into the transfer market.

Coach Danny McGuire today (Thursday) confirmed they will “look at” bringing a back-rower to the club after in-form forward Jeremiah Simbiken suffered knee damage during last weekend’s win at Huddersfield Giants.

Simbiken will be out of action for at least three months and McGuire admitted Tigers lack experienced cover in that position.

“I think it is going to be a lengthy one,” McGuire said at his weekly preview press conference ahead of Sunday’s Magic Weekend derby against Wakefield Trinity in Newcastle.

“He is having an operation in a couple of weeks and then we’ll probably have to reassess it from that, but 12 weeks, best case scenario, is what I am being told.”

The damage was done in freak fashion, the coach reported. “It was nothing,” he said. “He was trying to get back onside and someone has fallen over and kind of just fallen on to him. He wasn’t carrying the ball or making a tackle, so it’s really unfortunate.”

Castleford Tigers boss talks recruitment possibility

Tigers have been busy in recent weeks, signing prop Tom Amone for the rest of this season and hooker/half-back Chris Atkin – who could make his debut on Sunday – until the end of 2026, as well as forwards Jordan Dezaria and Hugo Salabio on loan. McGuire said they had “24 or 25” players training today, but lack of cover for Simbiken is a worry.

“It’s not a position where we are blessed with numbers,” McGuire admitted. “Mels [Alex Mellor] is probably our only out and out back-rower in the squad now so it’s potentially something we might have to have a look at.

“We will just have to wait and see. We have got people who can fill in that position – George Lawler can do it really comfortably and really well, Joe Westerman can play there and we’ve got a few other people who could maybe slide in there.

“But I don’t think we can go the rest of the season without an out and out back-rower if Jez ends up being long-term.

“We’ll have to see if that [a signing] is possible; we’ll play it as we go over the next week or so.”