Burgess issues fresh injury update with centre 'pushing it' for Round One
SAM Burgess has confirmed a fresh injury concern within his Warrington Wolves squad.
Having picked up what Burgess described as “a slight niggle” in his groin, centre Toby King has been ruled out of Saturday’s Challenge Cup third-round clash with Whitehaven and the Wire boss says he may be “pushing it” to be fit for their Super League opener at Huddersfield Giants next weekend.
King played the majority of his Testimonial match against Leigh Leopards on Saturday and did not appear to be injured when he was substituted to a standing ovation late on.
However, Burgess says his past history with groin injuries mean they will take no risks with him and that, in the worst case scenario, he would be fit to return when Catalans Dragons visit the temporarily-named Luke Littler Stadium in Round Two.
Toby King won’t play – he’s got a slight niggle in his groin,” Burgess said.
“He’ll be a week or so – he might be pushing it for Round One but would be fine for Round Two.
He’s got a tiny strain in his groin – it’s not too bad but he’s got a bit of history there.”
Toby King has been ruled out of the Challenge Cup trip to Whitehaven (Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com) King will join scrum-half Leon Hayes (hamstring), fellow centre Connor Wrench (ACL), hooker Sam Powell and second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon (both shoulder) as definite absentees for Saturday’s trip to face the Cumbrian League One side.
However, a quartet of players who missed the Leigh friendly – utility back Stefan Ratchford, centre Arron Lindop, winger Josh Thewlis and prop James Harrison – are all available for selection as is front-rower Joe Philbin, who Burgess confirmed would be able to play if needed after being substituted at the weekend with a dead leg.
The Wire head coach names his squad for the game at lunchtime today.
“It’s changed a bit,” he said at yesterday’s Super League launch when asked for his thinking in terms of team selection.
“I’m still not settled on the team I’m going to play – we’ll have another day of training and we’ll make some decisions then.
“I thought there were some good parts to the Leigh game, but there were a couple of efforts from our younger players that I wasn’t happy with. We need to fix that up.”
