Dagger’s back for the Robins
WILL Dagger will make a welcome return from injury when Hull KR take on Castleford Tigers tomorrow.
The game at the Totally Wicked Stadium is the first of three in eight days, culminating in a derby with Hull FC in St Helens.
Rovers have been bolstered by the return of several players, including full-back Dagger who has missed the last four matches with a knee issue.
“He’s been passed fit and healthy so comes into the squad,” said Smith. “It’s good to have him back.
“A couple of others who are back available are Dan Murray, who has missed the last couple of weeks, and Nate Peteru.
“Harvey Livett is fit but we probably won’t use him for Thursday. The more time I give him the better it’ll be for him. He’ll be more likely to feature on Sunday.”
Smith remains without a whole host of players, with Jimmy Keinhorst isolating after receiving a positive coronavirus test and Adam Quinlan, Greg Minikin and Jez
Litten among those on the injury list.
It means Smith’s squad will have to dig deep with a trip to Wakefield Trinity coming on the heels of the Castleford game.
“I’m going to have to get a number of people to double up,” said Smith.
“I think I’ve got six or seven that won’t have to double up, who will be fresh and ready to go.
“I’m going to have to ask nine or 10 to put in a big effort on Thursday night and back up on Sunday.
“We’ll play it by ear as to who they are. It’ll be a bit like last week where we mixed and matched.
“Some of it was forced on us. Jordan (Abdull) played in the centres and Mikey Lewis filled in at full-back because we needed them to. We’ve got some of that sort of versatility. We’ve got some options there and we’ll work it out after the Castleford game. But it is all focused on Thursday really.”
KR squad: Ben Crooks, Shaun Kenny-dowall, Kane Linnett, Jordan Abdull, Robbie Mulhern, Matt Parcell, Weller Hauraki, Dean Hadley, George Lawler, Dan Murray, Kyle Trout, Will Dagger, Mikey Lewis, Nick Rawsthorne, Matty Gee, Will Maher, Elliot Minchella, Jamie Ellis, Nathaniel Peteru, Rowan Milnes, George King.