James Webster puts best foot forward despite off-season injury troubles at Featherstone Rovers

Coach James Webster reckons around 12 of his squad for the new Betfred Championship campaign will be unavailable for Sunday’s opening pre-season game at home to York City Knights.

Webster said: “John Davies has had an ankle ligament reconstruction and he’s three months off. Thomas Minns has re-broken his foot; he has had an operation and he’ll be three months.

“Brad Day did his acl (anterior cruciate ligament) and he won’t play until July.”

In addition, Dean Parata – a hooker signed from Toulouse Olympique – has undergone ankle surgery, though Webster hopes he will play in pre-season. Dakota Wylie is still recovering from injury and Conor Carey remains on the casualty list after being hurt during last season’s play-offs.

Dual-registration players have yet to be made available by Leeds Rhinos and Brett Ferres, signed from Rovers’ partner club, is due to begin running in training this week. Webster admitted: “We have been low on numbers, but it has been good to see the young kids who’ve stepped up from the reserves.

“It’s the way it is, we’ll get through the friendlies as best we can and see how we go.”