Huddersfield captain Leroy Cudjoe set to miss Samoa clash
Thursday 20 April 2017 13:42, UK
Huddersfield captain Leroy Cudjoe is all but certain to miss England's mid-season international against Samoa after failing to overcome a knee injury.
The 29-year-old centre, who is in England coach Wayne Bennett's 30-strong elite training squad, has missed the Giants' last three matches and is due to undergo further scans on Friday to ascertain the full extent of his injury.
Bennett will announce his squad for the May 6 Test on Monday and Huddersfield coach Rick Stone does not expect his captain to be included.
"I think Leroy would be unlikely for that game," Stone said. "He hasn't played for a few weeks now and he's still not great. He's having another scan tomorrow and seeing the consultant because it's not been responding to the usual
treatment."
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Huddersfield will also send forward Tom Symonds for a second opinion after aggravating a knee injury amid fears he may be forced to undergo further surgery. However, Stone hopes to have second rower Dale Ferguson back from a
head injury for Sunday's fifth-round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie against Swinton at the John Smith's Stadium.
With a quick turnaround before the Giants' next Super League game at Leeds on Thursday week, Stone is set to rest several players for the visit of the part-time Championship club.
"We've probably got 20 or 21 players in the mix for this weekend and there might be some senior players rested," he said.
Half-back Ryan Brierley will be a straight replacement for Danny Brough, who has been handed a one-match ban, while there could be a first appearance of the season for utility back Jared Simpson, who on Thursday signed a contract extension which will take him to the end of the 2018 season.
