Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos - latest team news for big Super League derby

Loose-forward Adam Milner has joined Tigers’ lengthy injury list after damaging an ankle in last Saturday’s Betfred Super League defeat at Warrington.

Full-back Niall Evalds pulled out the day before that game, but Powell is hopeful both men will return next week.

“Adz has a bit of an ankle [injury],” Powell confirmed.

“He came off early last week, went back on and then rolled it again.

“I think he will be okay next week, but we’ll see.

“Niall was named in the 21 last week, but pulled up sore.

“Hopefully he will be okay, but the way injuries are going for us at the moment, I’ll do a bit of praying this week, I think.”

Centre Peter Mata’utia, who was another late withdrawal from last week’s side, is included in Tigers’ initial squad.

Second-rower Cheyse Blair and hooker Jacques O’Neill could return from injury, along with second-rower Oliver Holmes.

Prop Liam Watts will return after a two-match ban and outside-back Greg Eden is also in contention, but forward Lewis Bienek drops out.

Second-rower Bodene Thompson, who has missed Rhinos’ last two games with a shoulder injury, is included in their unchanged 21-man squad.

Full-back/centre Jack Broadbent and forwards Sam Walters and Jarrod O’Connor are in contention for a recall after being left out of the side which lost to Hull last Sunday.

Castleford Tigers: from Olpherts, Mata’utia, Shenton, Trueman, Richardson, Watts, McShane, Holmes, Blair, Massey, Griffin, O’Neill, Hepi, Clare, Sene-Lefao, Smith, Eden, Matagi, Turner, Peachey, Martin.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Hurrell, Handley, Gale, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Tetevano, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Vuniyayawa, Thompson, Walters, L Briscoe, Donaldson, O’Connor, Broadbent, Gannon.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).

Kick-off: Friday, 7.45pm.