Powell won’t rule out Huby return at Wembley

Castleford coach Daryl Powell has not given up on key prop Craig Huby making his squad for the Challenge Cup final against Leeds on Saturday.

Huby dislocated his elbow last week, an injury which seemed to have ruled him out of the big Wembley occasion.

His coach was far from unequivocal that the player would not make a remarkable comeback, however.

“I’ll give him as long as he needs,” Powell told reporters.

“Obviously it’s not the best injury, as everybody saw, he dislocated his elbow. He’s an important player for us, so I’ll just give him as long as he needs.”

Powell agreed that it would indeed be a remarkable recovery, should Huby be fit to face the Rhinos on Saturday.

“Rugby league players are pretty tough people, aren’t they?” he said.

“Obviously, the player, the medical team, will have a look at everything.

“Everybody needs to be comfortable with what you’re doing. If he’s not available we’ve got plenty of people who can take that slot.

“But he’s an important player, so we’ll make that decision later on in the week.”

There are likely to be fewer surprises in the Cas line-up out wide, however, with Justin Carney set to return to the back line on Saturday.

“Justin will play,” Powell said.

“He’s an elite player, there’s no question that he’s going to play.

“But we do have two wingers, and James Clare can play on both sides.

“He’s done a tremendous job, and he’s just enhancing his reputation all the time, so I’ve been delighted with him.”