Brown and Marsh injury blows for Widnes

Widnes stand-off Kevin Brown will be out for at least a month after suffering an ankle injury on his debut for the club in Saturday’s win over Hull.

Brown, 28, suffered an ankle injury in pre-season which ruled him out of the Vikings’ first three games of the season.

Centre Stefan Marsh, who was helped off in the second half of the same match, needs a shoulder reconstruction and faces three months on the sidelines.

Coach Denis Betts said: “It’s pretty devastating really because his (Stefan’s) form at the beginning of the season and the way he was playing, I think he could’ve been looking at a place in the England Knights squad.

“From what I can see, I don’t believe there are many centres out there with the ability or class that Stef has got, so it was a bit harsh on him really and also tough on us because he’s been playing so well.

“(On Brown) It was a freakish accident, he got kicked and it clipped him right on the spot which just made him flip over because he was relaxed. He went to see a Specialist last night and it was the same person who operated on him initially, and it’s a badly sprained ankle.”

Widnes, who have picked up two wins in their first four games this season, are hopeful that Brown will only be for between four and six weeks.