Widnes hit by injury

Widnes trio Joe Mellor, Chris Dean and Eamon O’Caroll will all miss at least the opening four rounds of Super League through injury.

Mellor, who injured his knee in December against Warrington, is expected to be out for the first four to five games of the competition.

Mellor was expected to pair with Tom Gilmore in the halves, with the Vikings likely to opt for either Danny Craven or Chris Bridge now in the playmaking position.

Prop Eamon O’Carroll has undergone an operation on his shoulder. Widnes coach Denis Betts said O’Carroll will be sidelined for three months.

Outside back Dean will also be out for 12 weeks, according to Betts.

The Vikings open their 2017 Super League campaign on February 10 at home against Huddersfield.