Wakefield Trinity injury latest as veteran set to return to action

Wakefield Trinity assistant Michael Shenton has high hopes of welcoming Matty Russell back this weekend. However, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Warrington Wolves, Shenton admits Wakefield still have some time to wait before their treatment room begins to clear out.

Trinity approach this weekend’s game on the back of their 32-8 win over Castleford Tigers a fortnight ago and they’ll be confident of being able to build on that result against Warrington, who they’ve already beaten this season.

It seems Daryl Powell will be going into the contest with a similar group of players, though, with Shenton confirming Russell is the only man who has returned to full fitness, with the wide man missing the last month of action.

“I don’t think we’re changing too much really, we haven’t got much coming back,” Shenton said in his pre-match press conference. “Matty Russell is back but that’s about it.

“Most of our injuries are long-termers and we’re at least a good few weeks before anyone else comes back into it. Pack wise, they’re a few months away, so it’s bare bones in that respect.”

Wakefield Trinity injury rundown

The likes of Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Ky Rodwell, Renouf Atoni, Thomas Doyle and Oliver Russell remain out for the Trin and Shenton expects the latter two to be the first ones back in the coming weeks.

“Olly Russell is not too far away but he’s got a broken hand so that just takes what it takes and as soon as the surgeon says he’s good to go, he’ll be good to come back in,” he said. “Hopefully he’s in the next couple of weeks.

“Tommy Doyle started the season and isn’t too far away, he has shoulder surgery in the off-season and we rushed him back because we had an injury crisis at the beginning of the season. He’s not had a pre-season so we’re hoping to give him a chance of getting himself ready to go so when he comes back he can have a good look it because it’s Tom’s first year in Super League.

“Caleb is a bit of a mystery one really because it’s a nerve issue and until that starts firing back up, it’s impossible to play him. He’s been a huge loss for us, he’s been a fantastic player.”