Hull KR will be without captain Elliot Minchella for Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie against York Knights with Willie Peters confirming an injury issue for the club’s skipper.
It’s not thought to be a major injury with Minchella’s Challenge Cup omission more a case of the Robins ensuring the loose forward doesn’t do further damage.
Offering an injury update to BBC Radio Humberside to preview Saturday’s match, Peters confirmed: “Everyone is not too bad, there are obviously bumps and bruises as you can expect from a game like that.
“Elliot Minchella has got a tight hamstring so at this stage, he won’t play this weekend. He’s the only one.”
With the vast majority of their pack fit, the Robins will likely deploy either Dean Hadley or Karl Lawton at loose forward with Minchella afforded a rest to ensure that a tight hamstring doesn’t become anything more serious, such as a torn hamstring.
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One in, one out for Hull KR
Whilst Minchella will miss out, one other forward could be set to return with Papua New Guinea international Rhyse Martin back in contention after suffering a foot injury back in March.
On Martin’s chances of playing, Peters said: “Yeah, he’s got everything that he needed to. He trained today so he’ll be back in contention for sure.”
Another man who made a return from injury last week, albeit for the reserves, was winger Lee Kershaw who is back after almost a year out with an ACL injury.
Peters has spoken plenty about Kershaw in recent weeks and after his first run-out this season, the head coach confirmed the former London man came through fine.
“He has (come through), it was great to see him play and sing the team song after the game. It was nice to see Kersh back playing and smiling again, so I’m really happy for him,” Peters said before confirming the club’s only other injury was to outside back Jumah Sambou, who has been out on loan at Widnes Vikings.
Peters explained: “The other injury that we’ve got is Jumah who has a hamstring issue and we’re waiting for scans for him. We’re thinking it’s around six weeks that he’ll be out for.”
