Castleford Tigers duo set to be sidelined for three months
Injuries are continuing to blight Castleford Tigers’ chances of getting some consistency with hooker Liam Hood the latest key player to be sidelined for a substantial period.
The off season recruit from Wakefield Trinity has impressed when he has made it onto the field for the Tigers and it was significant that his one recent appearance coincided with a much improved display and win at Wigan.
But he is now set to be sidelined for at least three months with a neck injury with the extent of the knock being revealed by director rugby Chris Chester.
He explained: “He suffered a significant neck injury in the win against Wigan.
"He got his head caught in a tackle and didn’t think anything of it, but he was in significant pain the day after the game. We quickly managed to get Liam to the hospital.
"There’s no fracture there, but there is some damage with the ligament of muscle in his neck.
"He’s still in a neck brace and we are probably looking at minimum of 12 weeks for Hoody. We’re devastated for Liam and we’re a better team when he’s involved in the squad.
"He was outstanding against Wigan and for him to play the minutes he did when he sustained that injury very early doors is just a credit to his character and to his toughness.”
Castleford were dealt a blow when losing star full-back Blake Taaffe to a season-long injury with back up Fletcher Rooney also out to a long term injury and have further frustrations with Chester revealing that experienced forward Joe Westerman is also in the middle of a 12-week absence.
He explained: “Westy has to sit 12 weeks on the sidelines – that’s been led by the specialist after he suffered two significant head injuries or concussions in a couple of the games.
“Like every other player that gets a head injury you’ve got to stick to the protocols. He’s suffered no more headaches or anything like that so it’s just kind of a waiting game.”
With Cas down on troops they brought in two more emergency loan signings for last week’s Hull KR game with experienced hooker Brad Dwyer signed from Salford and prop Tom Nicholson-Watton arriving from Leeds.
Another prop Jimmy Beckett has also been recalled from his loan spell at Sheffield Eagles where he played three games.