Wakefield Trinity are hoping to have captain Mike McMeeken back for Friday night’s top-of-the-table Super League clash against Leeds Rhinos.
England international McMeeken has been among the club’s best performers over the past two seasons since their return to Super League, playing a total of 50 games, including 20 of their 21 Super League games this season.
Last week’s away game against Catalans was the first that McMeeken had missed this year with Daryl Powell opting to leave his captain out due to a back issue, however, that has seemingly cleared up in time for Friday night’s big match.
Named in the 21-man squad, Powell offered an update on McMeeken when speaking at his presser on Thursday, stating: “We’ve just trained so if Mike comes out of that okay then he should be available.”
On his omission in the south of France, Powell added: “It was just nothing major but just decided that we didn’t want to put him in there. He’s come through all right this week. We’ll see how he comes through today but he should be all right.”
Super League’s IMG nightmare, Hull FC hit new lows, and League Leaders Shield debate – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show!
Wakefield Trinity set for key call on the wing against Rhinos
McMeeken returning for a game of Friday night’s magnitude would be a massive boost, though Powell was also keen to praise those who have stepped up across the year amid the injury issues to front-line starters.
He explained: “Our depth has grown across the year which is always pleasing to see a couple of young players come in and do well and then our squad players, whenever they’ve been called upon.
“Obviously, you want your better players fit as long as as many games as you can. He doesn’t miss too much, Mike, so if he’s okay, which I think he will be, then it’d be great to have him back.”
Another player who could return and possibly prompt a selection headache is Lachlan Walmsley, who was also named to the 21-man squad but he’ll have to wrestle a start from Jayden Myers.
Powell confirmed: “Lachlan’s all right. He’s had a week off so I’ve just got a call to make on the wing and yeah, got a few decisions to make but we’re okay. We’ve come out of that last game all right-ish, nothing major.
“There are selection calls for me and the coaches to make.”
Walmsley or Myers will be one of them with Powell noting: “He’s played well Jayden, hasn’t he? He played well against Leeds last time. He played on the left, Cam gets knocked out early in that game against Leeds early in the season so there’s a bit of a shuffle around there but yeah, he’s played well.
“I don’t think it’s really a dilemma. You’ve just got to make a call and the way that you see it and after discussions with everybody in the coaching team, we’re pretty open about it within the coaching group. I’ll talk about what I want to do and then we’ll have a discussion around it. We’re pretty solid in that regard.”
