Out-of-contract Hitchcox still committed to Castleford Tigers' cause

Tigers will go into Friday’s rearranged round-six match fourth in Betfred Super League, two places and three points adrift of Wigan, following a 24-24 home draw with second-bottom Hull KR two days ago.

Wigan will be without England players Sean O’Loughlin, George Williams and John Bateman, but Tigers – already missing several key men – are sweating on the fitness of Greg Minikin (ankle), Mike McMeeken (hamstring), Adam Milner (back), Joe Wardle (shoulder) and Jesse Sene-Lefao (ankle) who were all hurt during Sunday’s stalemate.

Hitchcox, who scored four of Tigers’ five tries against Hull KR, said: “It’s massive.

“They’ll have some bodies missing, we’re going to have some bodies missing and we’re right in and around the same place in the table.

“Every game from now on is massive to keep continuing to where we want to be at the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, Hitchcox insists he will continue to give his all for Tigers despite being told he will not be offered a new deal when his current contract expires at the end of this season. The former Featherstone Rovers back has scored 10 tries in eight games for Tigers this year and is expected to join Bradford Bulls – where he had a loan spell earlier this season – for 2019.

“Obviously it’s contract time and I’m discussing things with a few people and hopefully I’ll land myself somewhere,” he said.

“I’m confident of getting another club. Obviously I’d love to stay at Cas. I’ve felt like this is my home, it is my home, but if Cas have other plans that’s up to them and that’s fine.”

Hitchcox is happy with his current run of form, but believes he can get better.

“I spoke to Powelly [coach Daryl Powell] and said I’m growing in confidence and getting more games so hopefully it can continue,” he said. “I’m a bit of a confidence player so I told him the more games he gives me hopefully the better I get and I’m trying to prove that right at the moment.”