Powell hopeful of players returning this weekend

Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell is hopeful of the return of some of his squad’s key players for their game against Huddersfield Giants this weekend.

Powell was without ten first-team players for their trip to the south of France to face the Catalans Dragons, a game in which they were beaten 41-22. 

With his squad down to the bare bones recently, Powell has said he is hopeful he can have more options to choose from this weekend when they come up against Super League bottom side Huddersfield Giants. 

“There’s no guarantees at the moment, but potentially we are hoping to have a few back,” Powell told the Pontefract and Castleford Express.

“Obviously Cooky will be back then we’ll get checks on Lee Jewitt, Frankie Mariano and Ben Roberts and see where they are.

“We were down to our last 18 or 19 for the game against Catalans, but we’re hopeful we’ll get some people back this week. 

As well as the defeat to the Dragons last weekend, the Tigers had to contend with a few knocks and bruises to players taking part, although Powell says they may not be as bad as first feared. 

“Gadwin Springer is not as bad as we thought,” he said.

“It’s a grade one groin injury and not that severe so hopefully he will not be out too long. It’s a real pity because I thought he was starting to perform well.

“Denny is sore, he hyper extended his knee, which meant he couldn’t go back on against Catalans. He will need a scan and we will get a check on him to see how he is moving forward.”