Daryl Powell issues positive update on Matt Dufty after ‘strange’ injury

Josh McAllister
Daryl Powell Matt Dufty

Warrington head coach Daryl Powell has provided a positive update on Matt Dufty after he suffered a ‘strange’ injury on his debut. 

Dufty, 26, made his first Super League appearance at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday in the defeat to Huddersfield.

The full-back would go on to leave the field late in the second half with a foot injury.

Powell has confirmed the injury is a ‘strange’ one, with an unknown bone sustaining the knock that has ruled him out for the Wigan clash.  However, the Warrington boss hasn’t ruled out the potential of welcoming him back for their clash against Toulouse at the Halliwell Jones Stadium next Thursday.

“It’s a strange one,” Powell said during his weekly press conference. “It’s an extra bone, it’s something from birth that he never knew about. He’s had a little bit of trouble with that foot before but it’s something he never knew was there. 

“It’s something that most of us don’t have. It’s an extra bone and it’s that that has caused him the trouble. 

“For him, it’s good to find out about it as he’s had trouble with it before.”

When asked about his recovery time, Powell continued: “He could be available pretty soon. I’m not exactly certain when that will be. It’s a good prognosis from our perspective.

“He just needs rest and a little bit of treatment. He just needs to get rid of the pain. Once the pain is gone, then he’ll be fine.

“I think he has a chance for Toulouse [next week]. That’ll be down to him and the management of the pain, which is the most important thing.”

Daryl Powell provides latest on Mikaele

Samoa World Cup hopeful Thomas Mikaele also limped off the field at the start of the second half against the Giants last Saturday.

However, he has been included in the squad to travel to the DW Stadium on Friday.

“It was a pretty small injury to his ankle,” Powell confirmed. “He’s trained twice this week and he’ll be fine.”

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