CASTLEFORD TIGERS have been rocked by the news that Liam Hood will be out indefinitely with a serious neck injury.
Hood suffered the problem in the Tigers’ 24-14 win away at Wigan Warriors almost a fortnight ago.
Since then, the veteran hooker has been hospitalised with what head coach Ryan Carr has labelled a ‘really bad’ injury.
“It’s really bad and I was really scared for him, it’s a huge blow for our club and our team,” Carr said.
“He’s such an influential player for us, he’s a leader and every time we’ve played this year we have played really well.
“There’s no secret that he is a common denominator in our performances but his health and safety and welfare is the most important thing for us right now.
“I visited him in hospital and he is improving a lot. It was quite scary and we need to make sure we get him right in that area first and doesn’t worry about rugby league.
“I’m pretty sure the feedback from the hospital was that the amount of ligament damage he had in his neck, it was amazing that he hadn’t broken his neck.”
Carr explained the situation, revealing that Hood went about his business as normal following the win at Wigan, before waking up in considerable pain.
“It was a really weird scenario. He finished the game, got off the bus, went home, picked up his daughter and went to sleep.
“He woke up with it, it was really strange. It wasn’t an acute injury during the game but it flared up the next morning and caught us all off guard.
“He will be out for months, it’s a part of your body you don’t mess around with.”