Castleford Tigers news: ex-Leeds Rhinos man takes 'time off' as star set to return v Wigan Warriors
One of Castleford Tigers’ former Leeds Rhinos players is taking “time off”, coach Ryan Carr has revealed.
Prop Brad Singleton joined Tigers from Salford Red Devils 13 months ago and is contracted until the end of 2026. The 33-year-old was granted a testimonial this year for services to the game, but has made only one Betfred Super league appearance this year, against another of his previous clubs Wigan Warriors in round one.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Thursday) ahead of Sunday’s game at Wigan, Carr revealed: “Brad is taking some time off at the moment. We are just working through some stuff with him in the background. We will know a little bit more about that in the coming weeks.”
Carr didn’t give further details, but added: “He is a good bloke, Singo - I have known him a long time. I will just try to do the best thing for each of my players and treat them all the same. You have got to treat them where they are at in their life and their stage of their career. It is day by day for him, but he is working hard in the background.”
Meanwhile, Tigers could have another former Leeds man, hooker Liam Hood, back for Sunday’s match. Hood, signed in pre-season from Wakefield Trinity, has recovered from knee surgery and Carr said: “I think he should be back in the 21-man squad.
“He has got a few more boxes to tick, but it’ll be good to get him back. He is a good leader for us, he has played some really good games when he has been on the field and we have missed him a lot out there - not only for what he does in the game, but what he brings to the team, his leadership and the confidence he gives the boys around him. He is a super competitor and we’re really looking forward to getting him back.”
Hood’s previous Super League appearance was against Leeds on March 8. Carr explained: “He had to get some cartilage removed, it was giving him some grief. He is a tough kid and he was willing to play through it, but we knew how many games were ahead of us and we needed to bite the bullet early on and get it done. We had to patch our spine up for a little bit, but hopefully we’ll come out better for it in the long run.
The versatile Ashton Golding is expected to remain on the casualty list this week along with outside-back Semi Valemei (knee). Winger Mikaele Ravalawa, who has a lower leg injury, is making progress, but remains a major doubt and Carr admitted all his fit and available players will be in the 21-man squad when it is named at noon tomorrow (Friday).
Golding joined early this season and Carr said: “He picked up a calf strain and it has taken a lot longer than we hoped. He has had a bit of history with that, he did a real bad one when he was at Huddersfield about 12 months ago. It is sort of in the same spot, which is unfortunate for him, but he is working really hard in the background.”