Castleford Tigers coach Ryan Carr has named only 19 players in his initial squad for Thursday’s visit of Bradford Bulls.

Clubs normally announce a 21-man group two days before a game, but the Tigers boss was unable to do that with Jack Ashworth and Joe Stimson both ruled out after hailing head injury assessments during last Saturday’s 72-4 drubbing at Warrington Wolves.

Liam Hood, who didn’t play against Warrington, also drops out from the initial squad. Louis Senior, Cain Robb, Fletcher Rooney, Alex Mellor and Blake Taaffe - who won’t play again this year - remain on the casualty list. The good news for Castleford is Krystian Mapapalangi’s return from a one-match concussion layoff.

Jack Ashworth has been ruled out of Castleford Tigers' home derby with Bradford Bulls on Thursday because of a head injury. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Bulls could give debuts to new signings Phoenix Steinwede and Jack Ormondroyd, while Loghan Lewis, Brandon Douglas, Waqa Blake and Rowan Milnes are all back in contention following injury or suspension. Jamie Gill, Alfie Leake, Tray Lolesio, - who was on loan from Wakefield Trinity - and Ronan Michael drop out from the 20 named ahead of last Friday’s win against Huddersfield Giants.

Tigers’ 19 is: Semi Valemei, Zac Cini, Darnell McIntosh, Mikaele Ravalawa, Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Brock Greacen, Joe Westerman, Aidan Doolan, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, Jimmy Beckett, Ashton Golding, George Hirst.

Bulls’ 21 is: Andy Ackers, Caleb Aekins, Guy Armitage, Chris Atkin, Waqa Blake, Ed Chamberlain, Brandon Douglas, Sam Hallas, Luke Hooley, Loghan Lewis, Esan Marsters, Joe Mellor, Rowan Milnes, Jayden Nikorima, Jack Ormondroyd, Leon Ruan, Ethan Ryan, Mitch Souter, Phoenix Steinwede, Ryan Sutton, Connor Wynne.