MIDLANDS HURRICANES could be without influential centre Ross Oakes for the next five months as he recovers from a ruptured bicep.
The former Bradford and Sheffield player sustained his upper arm injury during the 18-14 Challenge Cup third-round defeat at Keighley.
The 29-year-old has been a key try-scorer for the Birmingham club, whom he joined ahead of the 2024 League One season.
After crossing four times in 13 outings that campaign, Oakes was Midlands’ only ever-present last time around, playing 22 times.
His ten-try haul put him behind only winger Matty Chrimes, another former Sheffield player, in the club list.
This season Oakes played in all four matches up to the Keighley tie.
Coach Mark Dunning paired Zach Jebson with Ryan Johnson in the centres for the 28-14 win at Goole, Midlands’ second in three league games this year ahead of the home date with Batley on Sunday.
Jebson, a 21-year-old close-season recruit from Hull FC, is normally a backrower and formed a fresh edge partnership with Owen Restall, signed from Halifax in October.
“I thought they both did well,” said Dunning. “Jebbo put a real shift in and grew into the game.”
With Danny Craven out through injury, Sully Medforth played stand-off, and Dunning added: “He played well alongside Lewis Else.
“Sully is a hard worker and really receptive to what we tell him. He will keep improving and the partnership with Elsey will grow the more they play.”