Warrington head coach Daryl Powell provides latest on Matty Russell
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Warrington head coach Daryl Powell has provided the latest on Matty Russell after the winger withdrew from action against Hull.
Powell elected to start Russell, 29, on the wing over Josh Thewlis, who returned to the squad after undergoing head injury assessment protocols.
The Scotland international left the field clutching at his knee in the 34-6 win over Tony Smith’s Hull at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in what looked a worrying sign at first.
However, Powell has since confirmed a minor blow for the winger, but admits he is a doubt for their Rivals Round clash against Catalans next Saturday in Perpignan.
Powell provides Matty Russell update
“I don’t think he’s too bad,” Powell said in his post-match press conference.
“He clashed knees just before that. We think that’s where it has come from. Then when he tried taking off, he felt it.
“I don’t think he’s going to be too bad, I think he’ll be OK.
“Whether he’s fit for next week, I’m not sure.
“It’s a close run thing between him and Josh Thewlis at the moment, and Josh just steps in coming back from a head knock and then gets the ball booted straight in his melon in his first touch.
“He’s someone who comes in and does a great job. That competition for places on the wings is great for us.”
Daryl Clark injury timeframe confirmed by Warrington boss
Powell says he expects to be without starting hooker Daryl Clark until at least their Round 10 clash with St Helens.
Clark, 30, left the field during last week’s victory over Castleford at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle with a knee injury.
“There’s potential that he’ll be back for the St Helens game,” Powell said on Clark.
“But he’s going to be missing for next two games which is disappointing, especially with the role he’s been playing and how well he’s been doing as well.
“It is what it is. We’ve battled our way through, if you look what has happened to us with our middle unit over these first seven games, for that group of players to do what they have done is absolutely outstanding and Clarky (Clark) has been a big part of that.
“It’s disappointing that that has happened to him.
“But we get to see Josh McGuire next week for the first time which is awesome and Sam Kasiano comes back in. It puts some size back in there.
“We’re looking really strong across the field.”
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