Daryl Powell hopeful of welcoming back injured off-season recruit
Gil Dudson during pre-season training with Warrington. Photo courtesy of Warrington Wolves.
Warrington head coach Daryl Powell has teased that off-season recruit Gil Dudson could make his official debut for the club against Castleford this Friday.
Dudson, 32, suffered a broken hand in the side’s pre-season win over Leigh at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Welsh international has been sidelined ever since, forced to wait to make his debut with the club after joining from Catalans ahead of 2023.
He was named in the squad last week for the first time ahead of the visit of Leigh, although Powell confirmed pre-game that Dudson would not make his return in Round Five.
However, the 2013 Grand Final winner could make his official Wire debut on Friday.
Gil Dudson could make official debut
“There’s a fair chance he’ll play this week,” Powell told Love Rugby League.
“He looks in good nick. He obviously broke his hand but he’s got through that and worked hard.
“Gil looks fit and had a practise session today. We’ll train tomorrow and crack on, he should be good.”
Matty Russell named in squad
Meanwhile winger Matty Russell has been named in Warrington’s 21-man squad and could be set to make his second debut for the club after returning for 2023.
Josh Thewlis is ruled out of the fixture at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle due to concussion protocols, leaving Russell and Greg Minikin the opportunity to seal a place on the wing.
“He’s in the squad, there’s a chance,” Powell said on Russell.
“We’ve got Greg Minikin as well who has been coming on and doing a great job for us. I’ll make that call tomorrow and have a look at it.
“He’s available and ready. It’ll be between him and Greg.
“Matty had an impressive pre-season and you see what he’s like physically, he’s in great shape. He’s worked really hard.
“He would have probably played round one and then Josh Thewlis came in and did an awesome job. It was pretty close with who was going to play round one.
“And then Josh has been class. Matty has had a little bit of illness and then a little bit of injury as well. But he’s available now and ready and he’s in great nick.”
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