Casualty Ward: Concern for Cust, Leigh unscathed & Hopoate, Langi, Sutcliffe latest

Keep up to date with the latest injury news in Casualty Ward, this week including Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.

Concern for Cust

Wigan Warriors were dealt a double injury blow in their 64-6 demolition of a much-rotated Hull KR side at the DW Stadium.

Morgan Smithies failed a head injury assessment and was unable to return. However, should Smithies pass his return to play protocol, he’ll be able to play in their next match against Hull on August 18.

Meanwhile, half-back or hooker Cade Cust left the action in the second half holding his shoulder, and was spotted with his arm in a sling after the game.

Wigan coach Matt Peet told Wigan Today: “Cade will need a check on what he’s done to his shoulder or the collarbone area.”

Why McIlorum missed Wire clash

Catalans Dragons were without key hooker Michael McIlorum for their 30-10 win over Warrington Wolves on Friday night.

The England international missed the game through illness, so he should be okay for their against Leigh Leopards on August 19.

Huddersfield’s late withdrawal

Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama was forced to withdraw from Huddersfield Giants’ 28-0 win at Castleford Tigers on Friday night in the warm-up, with Cook Islands centre Esan Marsters replacing the centre.

Update on Warrington pair

Warrington Wolves suffered a double blow in their defeat to Catalans Dragons at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Captain Stefan Ratchford left the field in the 12th minute of the match after being caught by an elbow of team-mate George Williams when making a tackle.

Ratchford left the action for a head injury assessment and returned to the field 10 minutes later after passing his HIA.

Sky Sports’ Jon Wells reported that Ratchford had passed his HIA, with the England international returning to the field with what the doctors told Wells was with a bandage covering ’15 to 20 stitches’.

Ratchford played on in the first half but during the half-time coverage, Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney delivered the news that Ratchford would play no further part in the match against the Dragons after the experienced centre was ‘diagnosed with delayed concussion’.

The Wolves were dealt a second injury blow in the second half when prop Gil Dudson left the field for a head injury assessment, which he failed.

The Wales international wasn’t able to return to the field, watching the rest of the game from the sidelines.

Warrington don’t have a game next week due to the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, so if Dudson and Ratchford pass their return to play concussion protocols, they could be back in action in the Wire’s next game against Leeds Rhinos on August 20.

Leigh Leopards pull through unscathed

Leigh Leopards coach Adrian Lam confirmed that his side came through unscathed ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final at Wembley, including captain John Asiata who suffered a knock in the first half of their 13-6 win at Leeds Rhinos.

Lam told the Mirror: “We left Zak Hardaker and Josh Charnley out with minor strains but they’ll be fine for Wembley.”

Sutcliffe latest

Hull FC coach Tony Smith believes centre Liam Sutcliffe would be in line to return for their trip to Wigan on August 18.

Speaking after Sunday’s 42-4 win over Wakefield Trinity, Smith told Hull Live: “Liam saw the doctor and he had his finger strapped up. He couldn’t play pain-free. He wasn’t quite there. With a break now, he’ll be pretty good to go next time.”

Hopoate hamstring

Tonga international Will Hopoate was a notable absentee from the St Helens side that won 18-15 at Salford Red Devils on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, Wellens told St Helens Star: “It’s a hamstring injury and we’re going to get that checked out in the week.

“Will trained with us on Thursday and did the full session and we just had to allow him the time, but we just thought it was too much of a risk.

“So we’ll get him looked at in the week, we’ll just have to find out but we can’t say too much more.”

Meanwhile, Wellens said returning forward Curtis Sironen was brought off early as a precaution at Salford after feeling a bit of tightness in a hamstring.

Langi latest

Wakefield Trinity coach Mark Applegarth was able to provide a positive update on Samisoni Langi, who was taken off on a stretcher in the first half of their defeat at Hull.

Speaking after the game, Applegarth said: “He’s got a fracture in his shoulder but it thankfully sounds like there’s no damage to his neck.

“We’re just happy that it’s not his neck, the main thing for me is that Samisoni is alright.”

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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