Hull KR host York Knights in the Challenge Cup this weekend, but the Championship side are struggling to name a full 17-man squad due to a mounting injury list
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth.(Image: SW PIX)
York Knights head coach Mark Applegarth may struggle to field a complete squad this week ahead of Saturday’s Challenge Cup encounter with Hull KR.
Rovers welcome the Knights on Saturday afternoon as the treble winners attempt to reach the Cup semi-finals for the fifth consecutive season. Willie Peters’ team are well aware of the danger York present, having suffered defeat against the newly promoted outfit in the campaign’s opening fixture.
Nevertheless, following a promising start to the month, York have endured a difficult spell recently, with their Cup fourth round victory over Keighley Cougars representing their sole triumph in their previous five matches. Injuries and personnel shortages offer considerable explanation, though, and Applegarth’s predicament is expected to worsen before improving.
The Knights will be missing Will Dagger following a failed HIA last weekend during the defeat to Huddersfield Giants, while Josh Griffin was also withdrawn from that fixture owing to a back problem.
Sam Wood is attempting to make his comeback, but Jon Bennison, Liam Harris, Toa Mata’afa and Kieran Hudson have been sidelined this week and they add to an injury roster that features Jordan Thompson, Danny Richardson and others, reports All Out Rugby League.
“The main thing is we get to name 17 for next week,” Applegarth said. “I’m just thinking who we’ve got back.
“Woody, it depends how his fingers settle down. The doctors were telling us a bit longer than Woody would like, so we just need to make sure we’re smart there. Mata’afa, obviously, is going to be a bit longer than we thought.
“Liam Harris, yeah, I doubt. Probably maybe Woody’s the only one that is maybe touch and go, but I’ll have to see what we get told there of the doctors.”
Addressing further injury concerns, Applegarth said: “Unlucky for Dags. He’s worked hard to get himself back fit. He just can’t catch a break at the moment with that. He’ll be missing for next week but hopefully it’s not too bad and it’ll be a week and then he should be back in contention.
“He’ll be missing for next week, but hopefully it’s not too bad and it’ll be a week and then he should be back in contention.
“I think John [Bennison] is about three weeks off. He starts full training with the squad next week. So obviously he’ll need a bit of time just integrating back and I think Kieran [Hudson is still a week or two off getting actually back in with the squad. So Jon I reckon he’ll be three weeks off and Kieran shouldn’t be too much longer after that.”