Craig Huby is facing another long spell on the sidelines.
After missing the first few months of the 2016 campaign with a broken hand, the experienced prop has now been ruled out for at least the next three months with a torn pectoral muscle injury that requires surgery during the 26-19 Super League XXI defeat at Wigan.
There’s better news for centre Jake Connor, who could feature in Friday’s home clash against Leeds Rhinos after scans revealed he suffered an impact injury rather than a broken ankle against the Warriors.
But even though Huby’s place will automatically be taken by fit-again Eorl Crabtree (he’s fully recovered from an abdomen problem), the news on his fellow front-row forward has been tough to take.
“It’s obviously bad news,” said head coach Paul Anderson, who has confirmed on-loan Warrington winger Gene Ormsby will play against the Rhinos and that Joe Wardle is back to full fitness after being ill in the build-up to last week’s Wigan game.
“We all feel for Chubs because he’s been doing it tough for a while now.
“And it also means we’re again two props down for a number of months (Daniel Smith is also a long-term injury victim with a badly-broken foot).
“But that still doesn’t give us an excuse for not performing at home to Leeds on Friday night.”
