VIDEO: Injury boost for Castleford Tigers over winger Greg Minikin

CASTLEFORD TIGERS head coach Daryl Powell has expressed his delight that Super League's top try-scorer Greg Minikin is not facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.
Castleford's Greg MinikinCastleford's Greg Minikin
Castleford's Greg Minikin

The Castleford winger injured his shoulder in the process of scoring his ninth try of the campaign during Sunday’s 13-12 loss at Salford Red Devils.

It was feared he had suffered serious damage but the player, who turns 22 next week, may only sit out this Sunday’s game against Catalans Dragons.

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“Potentially it could be just this week he misses but we’ll see how he goes when we start loading him up,” explained Powell.

Castleford's Greg MinikinCastleford's Greg Minikin
Castleford's Greg Minikin

“He’s on complete rest at the moment.

“He’s seen a specialist, had a scan and shouldn’t be too long.

“I don’t think it’s too bad. It looked like he’d dislocated his shoulder at first.

“It looks like it came out and then went back in but you can never be sure.

Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
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“He has a little bit of a problem with some ligament but hopefully he’ll be alright and we’ll see how he goes over the next week or so.

“But he has been good. It was a great finish from him at the weekend.

“He’s a high quality player who’s going to be an outstanding player of the future so I’m really pleased he’s not too seriously injured.”

Given the campaign is only five games old and he is nearly in double figures already, the former York City Knights centre’s strike rate is certainly prolific.

Castleford's Greg MinikinCastleford's Greg Minikin
Castleford's Greg Minikin
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Having won their first four fixtures before going down at Salford, Castleford are hoping for an instant response against Catalans when experienced former Australia winger Joel Monaghan will get a rare chance to impress.

“He’s been knocking about in the wings waiting to get a chance and he’ll get a good opportunity this week,” said Powell, about the 34-year-old ex-Warrington Wolves captain

“He’s been a proven try scorer. He didn’t quite get going as he would have wanted last season and then had a shoulder injury himself.

“But this is a really good opportunity for him to get into the side and show what he’s about.”

Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell
 Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Castleford Tigers' coach Daryl Powell Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
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Meanwhile, Powell expects former Kiwi centre Jake Webster to recover his fitness in time for Catalans after he departed during the Salford loss with a head knock.

But he also added that ex-England stand-off Rangi Chase could come into the 19-man squad for the first time since being suspended by the club for a disciplinary breach four weeks ago.

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