London Broncos coach Andrew Henderson says he may have to dip into the transfer market if his squad picks up any more injuries.
Henderson has lost halfback Joe Keyes for up to twelve weeks following surgery to his right ankle, and prop Jamie Thackray for around a month.
Keyes sustained a syndesmosis injury in training and it was initially hoped he might not have required surgery to correct the problem. Unfortunately, following a second consultation with the specialist, it was deemed necessary to fix it surgically.
Front-rower Thackray sustained an injury to his left shoulder in the defeat to Bradford and he is out for four to six weeks. Scans confirmed he had a tear in the rotator cuff, but he will not require surgery to fix the problem.
Henderson said: “It’s never a good thing to lose players for a sustained amount of time due to injury, but it happens, and it follows on from our very busy Easter period, which is not easy on the players’ bodies.
“Thankfully, neither injury is too major, and it will give some of the other boys the chance to make the team. Our thoughts turn to their recovery now, and Thacks and Joe are currently receiving the best support and rehab they can have.
“We look forward to both of the boys returning when they’re ready. If we do get another couple of injuries then we may have to look into the market.
“We started with a 26-man squad but lost Rhys Lovegrove to Bradford and Nathan Stapleton to injury, so with Keys and Thackray that leaves us at 22.
“But at the moment we’re doing pretty well and I know a lot of teams have been smashed by injuries.
“To only have three blokes on the treatment table shows we’re in pretty good shape and is a credit to the coaching staff and medical team.”
