Three more knocks for Rovers

James Gordon

Injuries have been a common problem for many Super League squads in the early part of the season, and none more so than for Hull KR.

Rovers lost stand-off Blake Green on the eve of the season due to a blood clot problem, and that was compounded further when half-back partner Michael Dobson picked up a shoulder injury in the round two win at Wakefield.

Sunday’s 36-36 draw against St Helens also came at a cost, with Josh Hodgson (ankle), Lincoln Withers (abductor strain) and David Hodgson (torn pectoral muscle) all picking up injuries.

Head Coach Craig Sandercock told the club’s official website: “I’m extremely disappointed not to have won that game of football (on Sunday) but when you look at the amount of injuries that we picked up again and the effort the boys put in, it was very impressive.

“We lost both of our dummy halves and for that last five minutes it was just a case of hanging in there as best we could but unfortunately we weren’t quite good enough to get the victory.

“The injuries are disappointing but we do have depth in the squad so other people may get an opportunity.”

Widnes half-back/hooker Anthony Watts and Bradford’s James Donaldson both picked up ACL injuries over the weekend, all but ending their seasons, while there have also been knocks to a number of other Super League stars, including Ben Harrison, Joe Westerman and Jamie Jones-Buchanan, as the tough start to the new campaign takes its toll.