Castleford Tigers: Cas forward Mariano '˜spooked' by injury scare reveals coach Powell

CASTLEFORD TIGERS boss Daryl Powell is hopeful Frankie Mariano will be available for Thursday's visit of Leeds Rhinos after another injury scare.
Frankie MarianoFrankie Mariano
Frankie Mariano

Mariano – the former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Hull KR forward – made his comeback in last Friday’s 56-12 defeat at Warrington Wolves after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year.

Powell said: “We have got to check on him.

“He got a knock on his knee – the same knee. It spooked him a bit, but I think he will be all right.”

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The coach added: “Andy Lynch got a knock on a knee, but hopefully he will be all right.

“I don’t think we’ve come out of it too badly, but pride is hurting a bit.

“It was terrible, to be honest, the worst performance since I have been at the club.”

Powell is not expected to name his official 19-man squad for Thursday’s game this afternoon.

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He said it is too early to confirm if Ben Roberts will be available for selection after injury.

And Luke Dorn is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines because of a hamstring problem suffered against Salford Red Devils on March 20.

“We lost Ash Robson for the season at the start of the year and Ben Roberts has been missing, so that has made it tough,” Powell admitted of his full-back situation.

“We have been really hammered [by injuries] in key positions.”

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Meanwhile, experienced forwards Oliver Holmes and Junior Moors also missed last Friday’s Super League encounter and, not forgetting that club captain, Michael Shenton, has been ruled out until at least September with a knee injury.