Castleford Tigers boss Ryan Carr is hoping to have two of his overseas recruits back fit this weekend, in what would be a huge boost given their current injury woes.
The Tigers released an update earlier today detailing the extent of their injuries, and confirmed timescales for Fletcher Rooney, Alex Mellor, Cain Robb and Louis Senior.
Rooney is set to miss the next three months with a hamstring injury that requires surgery, whilst captain Mellor will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks with a fractured tibia.
In what is good news for Tigers fans though, both Semi Valemei and Brock Greacen are closing in on their returns and could make their debuts as early as this weekend.
Greacen featured in the Challenge Cup win over Doncaster before picking up a training injury prior to round one, whilst Valemei is yet to feature in any capacity for his new club.
However, that could be about to change and both may make their maiden Super League appearances at Headingley, with coach Carr hopeful they can make the matchday 17.
“They’re both close, they’re both really close,” Carr said to the press today [Thursday].
“It’s a day-to-day proposition for them. If not this week, we’ll be hopeful for them for next week.
“It’s a day-to-day, ‘how do they feel after training?’ [situation]. We’re just trying to make sure we do the right thing with it being so early in the year.”
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Castleford Tigers boss confirms full-back plans after Fletcher Rooney blow
The introduction of Valemei and Greacen will strengthen Castleford’s edge and pack options, but one place they is real concern is full-back.
With Blake Taaffe out for the season and Rooney now set for a lengthy lay-off, the Tigers are being forced to shuffle players from their natural position in order to accommodate their injuries.
Zac Cini featured in the number one spot last week, and Carr has confirmed that he will take up that role again, but hasn’t ruled out any further recruitment.
“Zac’s playing there now, and he’s done a good job at the weekend. He’ll continue to be there for us in the short term,” revealed Carr.
“We’re on the look-out [for a signing], we haven’t given up on our recruitment plans for this year, so that’s something that we need to continue to look at now that Fletcher’s out too.
“It comes in bunches, doesn’t it, when it rains or pours at the moment. But yes, we are actively looking.”
