Doncaster RLFC: Howden struggling to make start of the season

Dons stand-off Jordan Howden is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of the 2016 season next month.
Jordan HowdenJordan Howden
Jordan Howden

The closed-season signing, seen as a key figure in the new-look Dons side, sat out Sunday’s pre-season game against Oxford.

“He’s had an ongoing problem with a bit of a hip injury which we’ve been trying to manage,” said head coach Gary Thornton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s been getting through training but we didn’t know how he’d react to playing and the friendly against Hull was quite a tough game and he wasn’t able to train last week.

“He’s seen a doctor and we think he may have a bit of tendonitis or possibly a bit of an impingement in the joint.

“We are hoping it settles down but if it doesn’t we might have to send him for a scan.”

Thornton, who has been impressed with the former Hull FC Academy forward, is set to offer trialist prop forward Zak Brehan a contract this week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Dons complete their warm-up programme with a home game against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday week and Thornton has warned his side they will face a tough opener in the iPro Cup against North Wales Crusaders.

Thornton took in the Crusaders’ friendly at Batley over the weekend and came away impressed.

“They’ve got a massive pack - though they didn’t look very mobile on the day - and they’ve got two very good half backs,” he said.

“Their outside backs are also useful, so we know it’s going to be a tough game.

“But we’ve still got another three weeks to prepare and we’ll definitely have some of the injured players back before then.”