Castleford Tigers boost as five players could return from injury for Challenge Cup clash with Salford Red Devils - but two drop out

Second-row Cheyse Blair and winger Greg Eden both drop out of Tigers’ squad from last Friday’s 28-18 Super League win over Salford.

Winger James Clare who has not played since undergoing pre-season knee surgery, has been named in Tigers’ initial 21-man squad and George Griffin, Dan Smith, Jordan Turner and Gareth O’Brien are also in contention, along with Lewis Bienek.

Tigers coach Daryl Powell confirmed: “Cheyse and Greg picked up injuries last week, so they are out, but there’s a few guys available again this week.

There will definitely be some changes, people like George Griffin, Dan Smith, Gaz O’Brien and Jordan Turner will all hopefully be available.

“There will definitely be a different look about it and hopefully a bit of a freshness.”

Powell revealed Blair is likely to be out of action for around four weeks, but there is no timescale yet on Eden’s hamstring problem.

“Neither of them will be back next week,” he added.

“It is a bit frustrating, but James Clare is pretty close to being available again and there’s a couple of young boys who did well last week who have boosted our confidence in the depth of our squad.

“You never want to lose players, but we have got people who can slot in there so we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.”

Tigers’ squad is: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Jake Trueman, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Oliver Holmes, Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, George Griffin, James Clare, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Daniel Smith, Jordan Turner, Lewis Bienek, Lewis Peachey, Brad Martin, Gareth O’Brien

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