WINGER TO SEE SPECIALIST AS SYMPTOMS CONTINUE

WAKEFIELD star winger Tom Johnstone is facing another four weeks out after still suffering with concussion symptoms from April.

And head coach Chris Chester yesterday revealed he does not know when he will be able to play again.

Johnstone, 25, failed his first head-injury assessment in the Super League defeat by Wigan on April 1 and then in the Challenge Cup against Catalans nine days later.

It was hoped that he would be back for tonight’s West Yorkshire derby with rivals Leeds.

But Chester said: “Tom only sees a specialist on Monday and it doesn’t look great. He’s still getting symptoms and headaches after all this time.

“We put him on a bike a few days ago and straight away he got headaches. It’s a minimum four weeks again now.

“It’s one of those things where we’re being led by people that are more intelligent than me.”

Super League players must go through a weeklong protocol after each concussion, but are stood down for an extended period if they suffer repeated cases.

Chester said: “There are strict guidelines in place now led by medical people and a neurosurgeon. Fingers crossed, he gets some good news on Monday.

“The kid is really down and going through a tough spell, but I’m sure he’ll come out of the other side.

“There’s some really good education, which includes little things like not playing on any consoles at home, limiting your phone time, minimising your time watching TV and even putting yourself in a dark room with no light.

“There’s a lot more information than there’s ever been, but Tom is really frustrated because he wants to get out there and do his best for the team.”

Chester has a depleted squad as he hunts a first win of the season against a Rhinos team also struggling for form.

The Wakefield coach is among a host of people out of contract at Trinity this year, but insists he is comfortable with the situation.

He said: “Of course, I’m keen to stay on – I love it here and I’m Wakefield born and bred.

“It’s been challenging the last couple of years and it’s made me think hard about a lot of things with personal attacks and things like that.

“It makes you think whether being a head coach is worth it. But I can’t speak highly enough of the people that work here and the support I’ve had.

“There’s a really good group of people here who want the best for Wakefield Trinity – if that involves me moving forwards, then happy days.

“If it doesn’t, I’ve not even thought about it, but I’m more relaxed now than I’ve ever been.”