Skandalis in line for Tigers return

A shock recall for veteran Wests prop John Skandalis could be on the cards after Todd Payten was ruled out of the Tigers’ preliminary finals clash with St George.

Payten suffered an ankle injury in training earlier this week and scans have since revealed ligment damage.

Skandalis, 34, is a veteran of 185 games for the club and was a member of the Tigers’ premiership winning squad of 2005.

He has since returned to the club after a short stint with Huddersfield.

Skandalis, who has been suffering with a torso injury, must however pass a fitness test to confirm his availability.

“Whether we activate John Skandalis, we will wait and see. John hasn’t played for three weeks. That’s a bit of an issue,’’ Coach Tim Sheens said this morning.

“He trained strongly yesterday so that might be another option. He is on 249 games so he would love this week to be his 250.

“John is a great guy and a very good clubman. The guys love playing with him.

“He is the sort of the guy you know you can rely on in the trenches.

“There is no doubt that we are leaning there. It is just a matter of whether he is quite fit enough.”

Meanwhile, the extend of Todd Payten‘s injury means he could be a doubt should the Tigers qualify for the Grand Final on October 3.