Hull KR head coach confirms injury blow, possible replacements and names Rhyse Martin return date

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has offered an injury update after his side’s win over Hull FC with two key men set to be sidelined, whilst the Australian also revealed when star signing Rhyse Martin could return from injury.

The Robins beat the Black and Whites on the road for the second time in two weeks when they won 28-14 on Good Friday with second-half tries from James Batchelor and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves putting a stop to any potential Hull FC comeback.

Hull KR had taken an early lead before the game changed when Cade Cust was sent off, however, it wasn’t plain sailing for Rovers who lost two key men to injury with Willie Peters now providing an update on each of those players.

Both starting wingers Tom Davies (shoulder) and Joe Burgess (HIA) left the field and Willie Peters has provided an injury update on the pair, as well as revealing how they could be replaced.

On Davies, he said: “He’s got to get it scanned today and it has settled a lot better but he definitely won’t be playing this week. We’re just hoping it’s nothing major.”

As for Burgess, Peters confirmed: “He’s in great spirits and he’ll just go through the protocols now and the aim will be back to getting back for Salford next week.”

Who could replace Hull KR’s injured wingers?

It was also confirmed that Bill Leyland had returned to training after failing a HIA on loan with Huddersfield in Round Seven with the Hull KR boss labelling him as “ready to go if called upon”.

Two men who likely will be called upon to fill the boots of Davies and Burgess are utility star Jack Broadbent, who Peters recently compared to a State of Origin star, and 2025 signing Lee Kershaw who has twice been on loan with Castleford Tigers.

Confirming that Broadbent would likely be an option, Peters spoke about Kershaw and he felt the former London Broncos man had gone during his time with Castleford Tigers.

Peters responded: “Not too bad. Obviously, it’s difficult going into a different system and a different team environment. He’s been with us for the whole pre-season and it was good for him to get some game time. Cas called him a couple of times here so we know Kersh can do a job.”

He also confirmed that any other injuries are “little niggles” which the club will assess throughout the week, though we will find out the club’s 21-man squad at noon on Wednesday.

Rhyse Martin injury update with return game highlighted by Hull KR coach

As well as the shorter-term injuries for Burgess and possibly Davies, Hull KR still have 2025 recruits Rhyse Martin (quads) and Micky McIlorum (bicep) out and Peters provided an update on both with a possible return date revealed for the former.

“Yeah, so we’re aiming I think it’s for the Wakefield game, I can’t give you the exact date but I’m looking at that,” Peters said of Martin with that Wakefield Trinity clash coming in R0und 16 at the end of June.

On the Papua New Guinean, Peters confirmed: “He’s good, he’s in good spirits. He hasn’t suffered a long-term injury like this for at least a long time so he’s handling it well. We’ll start integrating when he’s ready to go.

“At the moment, it’s more around just, of course we need to treat the injury, but it’s more around just him as a person, just making sure that he’s okay and he’s engaged and getting some purpose in and around what he’s doing every day. So that’s the key mate, is just making sure he’s got purpose to what he’s doing and he seems in a good space.”

As for McIlorum, who tore his bicep in the Round Seven loss to Wigan Warriors, the Robins’ head coach confirmed the veteran had undergone surgery and will now begin his 12-week recovery.

Peters confirmed: “He had surgery last Friday, so yeah it’s just a matter now of his recovery and seeing how that goes.”