Sam Burgess has confirmed that the club have recalled Max Wood from Hull FC in order to replace Toff Sipley, with the front-rower set to be sidelined for a period after going off injured in Warrington Wolves’ loss to Leeds Rhinos.
Wood had impressed during his two games on loan at Hull FC but he’s now back at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and is in line to play on Thursday night against Catalans.
“That would make a bit of sense, wouldn’t it,” Burgess quipped in his presser, shared by BBC Radio Merseyside, when asked if Wood would play in place of the injured Sipley.
“I thought he did a great job, I think he played the longest minutes of his career at any level so he’ll get some confidence out of that and that’s what he wanted.
“It’s good to be able to call him back and he’ll come in for Toff.”
As for Sipley, Burgess revealed that the NRL recruit has perhaps never quite been right since his injury against Goole, noting: “It’s not super long but it might be two or three weeks. It’s a lower leg injury.
“Since he got injured against Goole, if I’m honest, we maybe rushed him back a little bit and he keeps picking up little niggles so we’re going to give him the time to get to 100%.”
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Warrington Wolves still waiting on Cai Taylor-Wray as injury update shared
As well as the blow to Sipley, Warrington have had yet more frustration in the injury department as full-back Cai Taylor-Wray remains out with the Wolves now without their number one since April, his last appearance coming in round nine against Wigan Warriors.
“No chance this week. We don’t know when he’ll be back.” Burgess admitted before joking: “I reckon we just tell you when he’s back so I don’t have to answer this question every week. He won’t be back in the next couple of weeks.”
On the 20-year-old, Burgess added: “He’s only played five games, he’s not played a lot of rugby this year and has not really got going. He started the year off well but he’s not got going.
“He’s a young lad and he’s trying to figure out what it takes to play at this level week in week out, and add value to the group, but he’s still with his recovery. It’s just not getting better.
“We’re trying all different things to try and speed it up but it’s just not working. I can’t give you a definitive answer on it, it’s frustrating.”
Another player who will miss out this week and perhaps for a few more is Sam Stone, with Burgess confirming: “He’s a number of weeks as well. He had a fair injury in his hamstring so I think he’s still maybe a month away.”
