Featherstone fear Craig Kopczak out for season as injuries bite

Featherstone say their influential prop Craig Kopczak is unlikely to play again this season after suffering a serious pectoral injury in their Championship defeat at Leigh.

The former Bradford front-row joined captain James Lockwood and second-row forward Jesse Sene-Lefao on the injury list during a defeat that saw the Centurions leapfrog Rovers to the top of the Championship for the first time this season.

Head coach Brian McDermott has since signed England Knights forward Jack Ashworth from Huddersfield on loan as well as Jack Broadbent from Leeds as injuries start to take their toll at Post Office Road.

“We haven’t had an horrendous injury list but a constant one since the start of the year,” McDermott told Rovers TV.

“We get a couple of blokes back then two more go missing. We’ve always been teetering on the edge of if we get another couple of injuries then we won’t be able to name a 17. 

“I’m putting my imprint on the squad and choosing players for the team and that is what every coach does. In the early stages of any coach’s reign it gets a bit turbulent when that squad is turned around. We have handled that really well. “

Reinforcements were needed, says Featherstone boss

McDermott has denied claims that he is making more signings as a reaction to losing twice to Leigh in the last four weeks, insisting anyone looking at their injury list can see why they need more reinforcements.

“Bringing in new players is absolutely black and white not a reaction to Leigh,” he added.

“We lost Craig Kopczak who ripped his pec off. Let’s hope he plays again this year but it’s very doubtful he will play again this year. 

“Locky has a broken thumb. Jesse has a torn calf. Josh Hardcastle is just coming back, so we have some significant people missing. When we lost Locky there was a conversation straight after that we had to get bodies in.”

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