The saga over Ryan Carr’s future as Castleford Tigers coach could be resolved within the next few days, the club’s director of rugby Chris Chester says.

Carr is not currently in charge of the team and didn’t attend last Friday’s home loss to Hull KR. Speaking at Tigers’ weekly preview press conference today (Thursday) ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Hull FC, Chester declined to say if Carr has been suspended, but insisted the club are “not actively looking” for a new head-coach.

A Tigers statement issued last week, following reports Carr had been stood down, said he was absent for “personal reasons”. Asked today if Carr has been suspended, Chester said: “It’s personal reasons, that’s what the statement says and as a club that’s what we’ll continue to let everybody know.

“There’s no further statement from the club. I don’t know when that [another statement] is going to be. It is personal reasons I can’t discuss and I think the sooner there’s an announcement, the better for everybody.”

Castleford Tigers director of rugby Chris Chester. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Castleford Tigers director of rugby Chris Chester. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

Chester also declined to say if there could be a way back for Carr, who joined Tigers in pre-season on a three-year contract. “I can’t comment on that,” he said. “There’s a process we’ve got to follow and that’s what’s happening at this moment in time.

“We are not actively looking for a new coach. There is some work going on in the background that’s above me. I am pretty sure when there’s an announcement to be made then the club will come out and make an announcement.

“Whether that’s in the next 24-48 hours or the start of next week I am not too sure yet. My focus this week genuinely has been to be around the boys and the staff and to make sure the staff prepare the guys the best we possibly can for a performance tomorrow night.”

Castleford Tigers coach Ryan Carr is away from the club for 'personal reasons'. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

Alongside Chester, Scott Murrell and Rob Nickolay will lead the team into Friday’s game, but the rugby boss admitted he is looking to bring in extra help. Club legend Adrian Vowles, who spent the past fortnight in England on holiday and assisted with the coaching last week, has returned home to Australia.

“He went back on Sunday,” Carr said. “I did try to pull his arm and say ‘can you give us a hand here?’, but he has got a business to run. It was great to be alongside him, we got him in the dressing room, he spoke to the players and at half-time when the coaches were talking he got up and gave a really positive, passionate speech. He loves this club and it was nice to have him around.”

Chester remains confident Tigers’ three overseas recruits for next year, Damien Cook, Mat Feagai and Tyrell Sloan, will be at the club for pre-season as planned. The trio were coached by Carr at St George-Illawarra Dragons, but Carr revealed: “I’ve spoken to Damien and Tyrell and I’ve spoken to Matty’s agent.

“There’s some really positive discussions with those guys, they’ve signed for Castleford Tigers and they’re looking forward to coming over in November for the start of pre-season. I know the part Ryan played in bringing those guys over, but they’ve signed a contract with Castleford and we can’t wait and we’re really looking forward to seeing them.”