Betts hoping for Widnes injury boost by Easter

Widnes coach Denis Betts is hoping to have some bodies back in action ahead of the Easter programme next month.

The Vikings are winless in six Super League games this season and were humbled 46-10 at home to Salford on Friday.

They haven’t been helped by an injury to key half-back Joe Mellor and Tom Gilmore, who had been given the job to replace the departed Kevin Brown.

Forwards Alex Gerrard, Manase Manuokafoa and Eamon O’Carroll have also been missing, as has dependable utility Chris Dean.

Hooker Lloyd White joined the injured list last weekend and is expected to be out for three weeks, as is winger Patrick Ah Van.

Centre Tom Armstrong played against the Red Devils despite a bout of food poisoning, while Aaron Heremaia and Jordan Johnstone were both forced off on Friday due to concussion.

Another forward, Greg Burke, has been struggling to shrug off a foot injury.

Betts said: “We’re not far off again running in to the Easter period and we’re getting more bodies back on the field training now.

“I’m hopeful Tom Gilmore is a couple of weeks off, he’s back in training now, and Joe Mellor is the same.

“They’re starting to hit the end of rehab and it’s now about putting them in full training and see that they are ready to play.

“We won’t put anyone in that’s not ready to play. They aren’t the answer to our problems at the moment.

“We should have plenty of bodies coming back into the Easter period, but they’re also bodies that the majority haven’t played for three months or all year.

“There’s a lot more in this group and we need to get the players that are actually playing, performing better and getting a little bit more confidence in themselves.”

Widnes’ only point of the season came in a credible 14-all draw at Catalans, but they have suffered heavy home defeats to Castleford and Salford recently.

They travel to newly promoted Leigh on Saturday.