Willie Poching on possible replacements for injured Reece Lyne
Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com
Wakefield coach Willie Poching is expecting to be without centre Reece Lyne for at least a month through injury.
Trinity are waiting for a full diagnosis on the injury suffered by the England international in Sunday’s golden point victory over Hull FC.
He was seeing a specialist today, Thursday.
Poching told BBC Radio Leeds: “We’re still not sure. He’s seeing the specialist as we speak. He won’t be there this week and that’ll cause a re-shuffle.
“He’s still in a boot and still on crutches. I can’t see it being any less than four to six weeks. That’s just going off experience, we won’t know until further investigation today.
“We lose his consistency and ability on the field, his experience and leadership too. If he is out for a significant amount of time, we’ll still be leaning on that experience and leadership off the field.
“But as is always the case, the next person gets a chance and what he’s done is laid a platform on that right edge for someone to kick on.”
Reece Lyne has started at right centre in 13 of Wakefield’s 16 games in all competitions so far this season.
It leaves a hole to fill for Poching ahead of Sunday’s visit of Warrington.
James Batchelor, who has been a regular at loose forward in the past few months, stood in during the win over Hull.
But Poching could also turn to the versatile Lee Gaskell.
Gaskell has only made six appearances since joining Trinity from Huddersfield, and has found it hard to dislodge established half-back pair Jacob Miller and Mason Lino.
Former Featherstone and Hull KR centre Thomas Minns is also an option as he returns to full fitness.
Young centre Jack Croft could also come in to contention; although he still has a week left to serve on his loan deal at Newcastle Thunder.
The 21-year-old hasn’t played for Wakefield for 18 months, but has had spells at Barrow and Oldham.
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