Owen’s recovery picks up

Wakefield three-quarter Richard Owen is closing in on a return to first-team duties after making his return to action.

Owen was a scorer for a Wakefield select side against Dewsbury Rams reserves.

It was his first outing since breaking his leg in Wakefield’s Super 8s defeat to Bradford in August.

Despite impressing head coach Brian Smith in that performance, the Wakefield chief insists he will not be rushed back into action.

“He played and played well,” he told Wakefield Express.

“Richard is on a long road back and it will be a while before he gets to Super League standard, but it was fantastic for him to be back playing.”