Powell left frustrated as Tigers’ Richardson is ruled out

FRUSTRATED Castleford Tigers head coach Daryl Powell revealed prolific Danny Richardson is sidelined amid the club’s growing half- back injury crisis – but argued it was inevitable after a lack of protection from officials.

The England Knights scrumhalf will miss tonight’s game against Huddersfield Giants after being hit by a shoulder charge in their Challenge Cup quarter- final defeat to Hull FC.

Richardson, 24, has regularly come under added pressure from opponents, often struck late after kicking downfield.

Powell is already without Great Britain tourist Jake Trueman ( back) and he has explained how Pete Mata’utia – who has been filling in at stand- off – will be missing for the next six weeks due to a knee issue.

The further absence, then, of Richardson – who has been impressive since joining from St Helens in the off- season – with a shoulder problem is a significant blow as inconsistent Castleford seek the win needed to keep their campaign alive.

“I’m pretty disappointed about that as he’s had absolutely no protection, from the referees initially and then the disciplinary after that,” said Powell.

“I’ve been talking about it since we played St Helens straight after lockdown when he got pushed to the ground 10 times and nothing was done.

“This was something just waiting to happen; he gets shoulder charged and nothing gets done about it again – either on the field or after – and he’s got an injury that is going to keep him out.

“He’s had a scan and he’s having an X- ray today. He’s got some loose fragments in his shoulder and I am disappointed.

“I’m hoping it’s not going to be too long but we just don’t know at the moment.

“We’ll have to wait and see exactly what the damage is when we get the x- rays back.”

Powell admitted he is “running out of half- backs” and it means Gareth O’Brien and Callum Turner – both full- backs by trade – could be moved to there against Giants.

Previously, he has used hooker Paul McShane and prop Grant Millington as makeshift halves.

“It is really difficult for us,” added Powell.

“We’re battling through but one thing it will do is give some young boys an opportunity and that will set us up in the future.

“We’ll have a strong team out there and we’re expecting to play well. We need to get a win,” he added.