Crocked O’Loughlin set to miss rest of series

SEAN O’LOUGHLIN is in danger of missing next week’s final Test against New Zealand as well as Sunday’s showdown at Anfield.

O’Loughlin, 35, limped out of last Saturday’s 18-16 win at Hull with a calf strain, having also missed last year’s World Cup final with Australia though injury.

But coach Wayne Bennett insists England can overcome losing their talisman yet again.

“He is one of the top line players in your country so he is a loss, but we have got to manage it and we will,” said Australian Bennett.

“We lost him in the World Cup final last year in Australia and we did a good job there.

“He is touch and go for next week, we are not sure yet. It is not a serious one but calf strains hang around at this stage of your life.” Liverpoolborn James Graham, 33, takes over the captaincy for his 43rd Test in his home city.

Bennett added: “James was a pretty straightforward choice. There’s not much more passionate an Englishman than he is.” St Helens forward Luke Thompson will start at 13, in place of O’Loughlin, with Castleford’s Adam Milner coming in on the bench.

Milner, who made his debut in last month’s

44-6 win over

France, said: “It’s not the way I wanted to come in, with Lockers injured, but I’ll grab it with both hands.

“It’s been ace to be involved. I go home and I am wanting to come straight back into camp, that’s how good it’s been.

“I was buzzing when I won my first cap and singing the national anthem was special but this will reach a whole new level.”

Milner revealed that both Bennett and Graham have convinced him that he’s in the team on merit.

He added: “Wayne is a fantastic coach with a wealth of experience and he’s quite inspirational.

“He gives some quite touching speeches to the group. People probably do not see that but for a new lad coming in it’s really good.

“James Graham has also told me I deserve to be in. To be getting a pat on the back from someone like him is pretty special.”