Oliver Russell timeframe confirmed with results ‘worse than expected’

Josh McAllister
Olly Russell Oliver Russell Huddersfield Giants SWpix

Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix

Huddersfield boss Ian Watson has confirmed that half-back Oliver Russell will miss up to two months of action with a torn hamstring.

Russell, 24, suffered the blow during training ahead of the side’s Rivals Round clash with Leeds at Headingley Stadium.

Scans have since shown a Grade 2 tear for the England Knight representative, worse than originally expected according to head coach Watson.  

“He’s going to be two months we think, eight weeks,” Watson confirmed. 

“There might be a little bit shaved off that, depending on how he goes. He’s got a Grade 2 hamstring injury. 

“It’s worse than we thought.

“He was obviously really disappointed at first. His mindset is about getting back as quickly as he can do. He’s just getting down to work.

“He was disappointed when he first heard the news.”

Ash Golding and Oliver Russell sidelined

Ash Golding also suffered a hamstring injury during Huddersfield’s win over Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium, with scan results showing a Grade 3 tear.

However, Watson says that the Jamaica international has responded better than expected with more consulations with a specialist scheduled.

“To be fair the news we had has been worse on both Ash Golding and Oliver Russell,” Watson continued. 

“Ash is a Grade 3, so that should potentially obviously be a bit longer. 

“He’s going to see a specialist in the next couple of days is Ash, because he’s actually presenting pretty well to be fair.

“He can do certain things that he shouldn’t be able to do with a hamstring that’s a Grade 3.

“We’ll see the specialist and see what comes of that.

“I’ve been talking to him in the gym there and he’s been doing some things you just couldn’t do with your hammy torn. It’ll be interesting to see what the specialist says.”

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