Wakefield Trinity hit by fresh Covid-19 case ahead of game with Hull FC

Two Trinity players tested positive for coronavirus last week, causing the game against Leeds Rhinos to be called off and they did not begin training for this evening’s game until Monday.

They were then hit by another positive test and coach Chris Chester said nine players have been stood down, along with two members of Trinity’s medical staff.

Captain Jacob Miller is among those unavailable and Tony Gigot is also set to miss out, but Alex Walker, Liam Kay and Jay Pitts, who have all been isolating, are back in contention.

Bill Tupou, unavailable last week because of a head injury, also returns.

Reece Lyne is back from suspension and Ben Jones-Bishop could make his first appearance of the season, after recovering from a blood clot.

Chester said: “It’s tough for every team and every side has had some difficulties over the last three or four weeks.

“We’ve certainly had our fair share these last two weeks, but one of the positives is we can give some opportunities to some of our young kids.

“We’re throwing in young Connor Bailey, Yusuf Aydin and Titus Gwaze this week and we’re just looking forward to seeing what this young side – that has literally been thrown together – can do.”

Hull, who face Castleford Tigers in a Coral Challenge Cup tie on Sunday, also have key players missing.

They are without Jamie Shaul, Carlos Tuimavave, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Johnstone, Bureta Faraimo and Josh Griffin from the side which lost to Warrington Wolves last week, along with the suspended Ligi Sao.

Players called into their initial squad are Ratu Naulago, Joe Cator, Connor Wynne, Andre Savelio, Lewis Bienek, Jude Ferreira and Masi Matongo.

Hull: from Swift, Connor, Houghton, Satae, Kelly, Cator, Matongo, Fash, Lane, Bowden, Savelio, Fonua, Wynne, Buchanan, Bienek, Brown, Scott, Naulago, Paterson-Lund, McNamara, Ferreira.

Wakefield Trinity: from Walker, Tupou, Lyne, Jones-Bishop, Westerman, Pitts, Kopczak, Green, Crowther, Jowitt, King, J Wood, Gwaze, Hampshire, Aydin, Bailey, Tanginoa, Navarrete, Kay, Gigot, Senior.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths (Widnes).

Kick-off: Today, 6pm, at TW Stadium, St Helens.

***

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor