Castleford boss provides update on Adam Milner future

Drew Darbyshire
Adam Milner Castleford Tigers News Images

Adam Milner returns this weekend Photo: James Heaton/News Images

Castleford interim coach Andy Last has confirmed that forward Adam Milner will not be leaving the club any time soon.

Last revealed that Super League neighbours Wakefield enquired about Milner’s availability several weeks ago, but it didn’t go any further than that, with Castleford wanting to keep their versatile forward.

When asked about the Milner-Wakefield speculation in his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Last replied: “No, he’s not moving to Wakefield, no.

“They enquired a couple of weeks ago but it is something that was more or less dropped on to my table basically in the week I took charge. I think it was leading into the Huddersfield week.

“At that time, Paul McShane wasn’t playing and the strength of Adam, he’s a competent nine, competent in the back-row and competent at 13. It didn’t fit at the time and Adam has come in and done a really good job for us.

“He was our player of the match against Leeds, he really went after the opposition and did a really good job and then backed it up with a solid performance against Warrington.

“Unfortunately, he copped a two-game ban which impacted on the momentum he’d was building in the team but he is someone I’ve got a lot of respect for. He’s been a great servant for Castleford and it will be good to see Adam in back in the 17 this week.”

Gareth Widdop and Adam Milner returns boost Tigers

Key half-back Gareth Widdop has returned to Castleford’s 21-man squad for their trip to Salford on Thursday.

The 34-year-old fell ill during the club’s visit to Perpignan almost a fortnight ago and was a late withdrawal from their squad, being replaced in the halves by utility man Jack Broadbent.

The former England international missed the club’s following game against Wakefield, picking up a 16-4 win over the Super League strugglers at the Mend-Hose-Jungle.

He has been included in Andy Last’s 21-man squad to take on the Red Devils in Super League Round Nine.

“It does give us a bit of a decision to make,” Last said of his selection dilemma.

“I think the experience that Gaz brings and the kicking game he brings. We’ve done well for a couple of weeks with Jack in there, Jack is probably more of a run threat but Gaz is a very experienced footballer and I think we are a stronger team when he’s in and around that 17.”

Widdop is one of four changes made to the squad, with Milner also returning, having served his two-match ban. Youngsters Sam Hall and Brad Martin have also been named.

Loose forward Joe Westerman will be forced to watch from the sidelines after copping a one-match ban for a Grade B trip charge against Wakefield.

Albert Vete drops out following his loan move to Championship side Featherstone. He made his first appearance from the bench in the 26-18 victory over Batley. Jason Qareqare and Jacob Hookem also miss out.

READ NEXT: Squad watch – Super League Round 9 squad news, TV coverage & predictions

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