Castleford Tigers will be without experienced versatile back Stuart Donlan, after the ex-Huddersfield Giants man was injured in Saturday night's televised game between the Tigers and French side Catalans Dragons.
Catalans won the game 21-14, fighting back from a 12-2 half-time deficit to snatch the two points, and leave Castleford licking their wounds from such a tough and brutal encounter.
The Tigers, who already have the smallest squad in Super League with just 22 players, are already feeling the physicality of their pre-season fixtures and first Super League game. The club were without former Hull FC centre Kirk Dixon, after he broke his toe in training, meaning he would be spending a month on the touchline. Ryan Clayton also suffered an injury during the pre-season games, and Liam Higgins was surprisingly left out of Saturday's game.
It is understood that Donlan injured himself in the final tackle of the match, limping off after the full-time siren with suspected medial ligament damage to an area of his leg, which could have left him sidelined for a month.
However, after scans it was revealed that the extent of the injury wasn't as bad as first thought and he will be out for the next two fixtures which are both away games, when the Tigers face Wigan at the JJB Stadium this coming Friday, and Huddersfield a week on Sunday, at the Galpharm Stadium respectively.
The Tigers' official website states that Donlan could make his return against Harlequins, when they travel to The Jungle in early March, which is round four of the engage Super League. Clayton and Dixon are also expected to make their Super League bows against Harlequins on March 2nd.
It said: "Stuart twisted his knee as Saturdays match drew to a close and although he seems likely to miss the trips to Wigan and Huddersfield, he could be back to face 'Quins."
Donlan's injury means that coach Terry Matterson may consider giving returnee winger Adam Fletcher a call-up to the senior squad. The Australian youngster joined the club for Super League in 2006, however left the club last season. It may also present an opportunity for youngsters such as Joe Arundel to step up to the challenge.
They are sure to miss Donlan, who scored the club's opening try of Super League 2008. In the meantime the club will be hoping that further players aren't struck down by injuries, or the club may have to delve into the transfer market early on than they had planned.
