Danny McGuire explains Sam Wood absence

Hull KR Interim Head Coach Danny McGuire has confirmed Sam Wood missed Friday’s defeat to St Helens because of a shoulder injury.

Wood was named in McGuire’s initial 19-man-squad for the match, but was a notable absentee. Jimmy Keinhorst and Will Tate both started in the centres.

McGuire confirmed he had been playing with the injury for a couple of weeks, but was hopeful the week off will ensure Wood is ready for next week.

He said: He’s injured. He’s been carrying a shoulder problem for a fair few weeks. He’s been playing in pain basically so, it got to the point where he couldn’t train this week.

“So we took the decision to give him a week’s rest. Whether a week will be enough I don’t know. But potentially it could come back next week. Depending on what comes back, and he had a scan and an x ray, which are inconclusive at the minute.

“But he’s a bit battered.”

McGuire unsure on status of Lachlan Coote

McGuire also admitted he was not sure if Lachlan Coote will be available for next week’s game against Wakefield.

Coote was forced off for a Head Injury Assessment in the closing stages of the match. He was replaced by Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e.

McGuire told the post-match press conference: “Not sure if I’m honest, he took a bit of a knock again. He came off at the back end there, just looked after him. The game had gone.

“We wanted to get Phoenix (Laulu-Togaga’e) on, and give him some experience and some opportunity back there as well.

“So I can’t give you anything on that reel because I’m not I’m not too sure. But he did come off with a little bit of a bang on his head.”

St Helens 38-12 Hull KR: Saints one win away from securing top spot