Hull KR are set to make a late call on Jez Litten, with the hooker requiring scans on a minor ankle issue ahead of the Super League clash with Leigh Leopards.
The England international has been central to Rovers’ recent success, and was recently ranked second on the Super League Man of Steel shortlist by the official panel last month.
Head coach Willie Peters insists there is no major concern, though Litten could still be a doubt for Friday’s meeting with Adrian Lam’s side at Sewell Group Craven Park.
“Jez Litten has got a bit of an ankle issue, he rolled it last week and he’s been sent for scans,” Peters confirmed. “There’s nothing major there, but we’ve got to see how that settles down this week.
“He’ll be a late call. He didn’t train today, but we’ve still got the captain’s run,”
Rhyse Martin, James Batchelor and Noah Booth have been named as potential replacements at centre, although Peters is leaning towards experience for what is expected to be a fierce contest in East Hull.
Influential back-rower Batchelor passed his own head injury assessment against York.
“We’ve got James Batchelor, Rhyse Martin and Noah Booth who have all played there before,” Peters confirmed.
“There’s a couple of younger guys, but we’ll go with someone with a bit more experience against Leigh.”
Booth is among those knocking on the door for an opportunity, having most recently featured for the club’s reserves at centre in a 34-26 win over Leeds Rhinos. Declan Murphy, Bill Leyland, Ryan Hampshire, Jack Charles, Jai Whitbread, Tom Whitehead and new signing Ryan Westerman also featured.
Booth, 21, has made three senior appearances in Super League this year.
Peters said: “Noah can play centre and he can play wing. We give him feedback on what we think he needs to do, and what he’s doing well.
“He’s a very good attacking centre, and he’s going to be a very good player in the future. We’ve drip-fed him in, it’s just some areas that we think he needs to work on. It depends whether we go that way this week or not, but he’s certainly knocking on the door.”
Arthur Mourgue is also progressing well with his rehab from a pectoral injury, although the club are not putting a timeframe on the full-back’s return.