Casualty Ward: Austin sidelined, Salford boost & Wigan suffer triple blow

Keep up to date with the latest injury news in Casualty Ward, this week including Blake Austin, Salford, Wigan and Huddersfield.

Wigan’s triple injury blow

Wigan have been dealt three major blows to their pack with Ethan Havard, Willie Isa and Kai Pearce-Paul all suffering injuries.

Back-rowers Isa and Pearce-Paul didn’t play in their win at Leeds on Saturday. Speaking after the game, Peet confirmed they are long-term injuries to the pair.

He told Wigan Today: “It’s a long one for Willie, we’re talking months. Kai Pearce-Paul is similar, we lost him in training yesterday, it was his leg. It’ll be eight weeks.”

Meanwhile, Havard left the action in the opening stages of their win at Headingley with a suspected dislocated elbow. He will have a scan this week to learn the extent of the injury.

The Warriors had a bit of good news though, with prop Kaide Ellis returning from the treatment room against the Rhinos.

Austin sidelined

Leeds could be without half-back Blake Austin for two to four weeks with a calf injury.

The 32-year-old didn’t play in their 18-14 defeat to Wigan in the Challenge Cup on Saturday after suffering the injury in training earlier in the week.

Rhinos coach Rohan Smith told Leeds Live: “It’s probably one of those two to four-week type of things.”

Smith also confirmed that winger Ash Handley missed the Wigan game due to illness.

Meanwhile, James Bentley could return for Friday’s clash with his former club St Helens. The Ireland international missed Saturday’s Cup tie with Wigan after failing a head injury assessment at Wigan the previous week.

Hurrell update

Tonga international Konrad Hurrell hasn’t played in St Helens’ last two games due to a slight disc bulge in his neck.

Speaking to the press last week, Saints coach Paul Wellens said: “He’s got some symptoms there with nerve pain and things like that. That needs to settle.

“We can take some active measures in helping that to settle, but it’s just basically waiting on the symptoms really.

“It could be a situation where he plays next weekend, or in two or three weeks.”

Meanwhile, Tongan enforcer Agnatius Paasi returned from a knee injury in their 26-6 win at Halifax on Friday.

Sione Mata’utia also returned for Saints, playing his first game since suffering concussion in their Good Friday defeat to Wigan after receiving clearance from specialists.

Thewlis picks up knock

Warrington winger Josh Thewlis picked up a knock in their 16-14 win at Catalans on Saturday – but it doesn’t appear to be anything serious about after he managed to play the rest of the game.

Warrington coach Daryl Powell said after the game: “The only injury concern we had was Josh Thewlis who looked like he might have to leave the field during the game but he’s a tough lad and he stayed on and played really well.

“Apart from that we look in good shape, I haven’t spoken in detail to our physio but he isn’t flagging anything up at this stage.”

Meanwhile, Powell says centre Connor Wrench isn’t far away from making his return to first team action. He recently made his comeback from an ACL injury in a reserves match.

Huddersfield forward out for the season

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson has provided the injury latest within the Giants camp.

Sought-after forward Owen Trout may have played his final game for the club after suffering a season-ending injury.

Experienced winger Jermaine McGillvary will have scans after suffering a bicep injury.

Meanwhile, Theo Fages and Joe Greenwood returned from the sidelines in their defeat at Salford.

Forward Chris McQueen returned home to Australia for personal matters, but will return to training this week.

Speaking about McQueen’s situation last week, Watson said: “There’s been something that he’s discussed with us for quite a long while, you never know who you’re going to draw or where fixtures are going to be, this was even before this year. It’s one of them, but he’ll be back next week.”

Miller back?

Castleford coach Andy Last says full-back Niall Evalds has sustained a pectoral tear.

Evalds suffered the injury in their defeat to Catalans at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in Super League a fortnight ago, forcing him from the field.

The 29-year-old has been limited to just seven appearances so far this season, having damaged an ACL joint earlier in March which sidelined the full-back for six weeks.

Speaking in his press conference on Thursday, Last said the club were awaiting scan results to determine the extent of the injury, which could require surgery.

Meanwhile, half-back Gareth Widdop didn’t play in their 32-8 defeat to Hull on Sunday due to a jarred ankle.

Fellow playmaker Jacob Miller also missed the Challenge Cup sixth round tie with Hull after failing a head injury assessment the week previous. He could return for their trip to Huddersfield on Friday night if he passes the concussion protocols.

Salford boost

England international hooker Andy Ackers could return for Salford in Sunday’s clash with Hull FC.

The 29-year-old failed a head injury assessment in their defeat at St Helens two weeks ago, meaning he was ruled out of their Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield on Saturday. He could return on Sunday if he completes his return to play concussion protocol.

Keep up to date with all the latest injury news in Super League with our Casualty Ward feature, out every Monday.

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