Three Super League sides who could be set for immediate transfers

We’re heading into Round Five of the Super League season, and with some clubs already struggling with injuries, SARL have suggested three teams that may look to make an immediate loan move.

The competition has already seen a number of loan moves made in recent weeks, such as Reiss Butterworth and Fenton Rogers joining London Broncos, Gil Dudson joining Salford Red Devils and the ill-fated double-loan move of Matty Russell and Joe Bullock to Hull FC.

Here are the sides we think may follow suit.

Castleford Tigers

Castleford have been poor for a number of seasons now.

They do have a number of injury problems, with Paul McShane and Jason Qareqare leading the list of players currently sidelined, and the number of players available for upcoming games is small – as little as 20 even just two weeks into the season.

However, the main reason we think Cas need a loan signing is that they really aren’t very good.

The recruitment process this year has been much less short-term in its approach, bringing in young players with a point to prove as opposed to the Widdop-style signings of the past. However, with all the planned stadium improvements, the club needs people to keep coming to games.

For that, they need to win Super League games, and the current group of players look a little way off that at the moment.

The Tigers may well try to bring a statement signing to join Innes Senior in their loan list.

Hull FC

Saying the black-and-whites are struggling for numbers is the understatement of the century.

Up to fifteen players are unavailable for them week by week. Franklin Pele has just been suspended again.

This is just one story amongst many, with the likes of Jake Trueman and Jack Walker amongst big names that face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

While already struggling for numbers, the news that Joe Bullock has been recalled by parent club Warrington Wolves won’t have helped.

They may look to the loan market to bring a prop in, as Tony Smith seemed very happy with Bullock being in the squad.

Leigh Leopards

Tom Briscoe, John Asiata and Edwin Ipape are all expected to be out until the end of April, while Nathan Wilde will be even longer.

Added to this though is the fact that last year’s Challenge Cup winners have just one win this season.

Adrian Lam’s side have already brought hooker Brad Dwyer in on a short-term deal, following Ipape’s injury.

It expired this week but it seems that with both clubs open to this situation to remain the same going forward, Dwyer will remain on loan on a week-by-week basis.

We know they’re open to looking at the loan market, while Keanan Brand and Jacob Jones have gone the other way, to Bradford Bulls and London Broncos respectively.

Last month, Lam said: “I think the window is open to us to look elsewhere and strengthen the squad at some point, and we’re always looking”.

Their overseas quota is full, which stopped them from bringing David Armstrong in from Newcastle Knights, but a Super League signing is very possible.