WAKEFIELD TRINITY will be without Oliver Pratt and Matty Storton for the rest of the year, while Tray Lolesio’s season could also be over.
All three suffered injuries in Wakefield’s defeat to Wigan Warriors last Friday.
Centre or winger Pratt suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury from which he was only returning against Wigan after more than two months out and will require surgery.
Back-rower Storton suffered a knee injury and while he won’t need an operation, he too won’t feature again this term.
And there is also concern that prop Lolesio’s hamstring issue is severe enough that he may not return this year, even for the play-offs.
Head coach Daryl Powell said: “Oli needs an operation on his hamstring, and that will take him four months (to recover).
“He’s had a tough year with that injury and he hasn’t been able to get going. He’s obviously disappointed, but it is what it is in this game.
“Matty Storton is not an operation but he’ll be in a brace for up to twelve weeks- he’s got an MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury.
“Every back-rower that we have has been injured, which has been challenging. The last few games we’ve been unlucky with significant injuries which have left us severely depleted.
“Tray has done a hamstring, and it’s unlikely he’ll play again this season which is disappointing.”
Wakefield do also have players returning from injury, with Tom Johnstone (knee), Isaiah Vagana (shoulder), Jay Pitts (bicep) and Mason Lino (calf) all in the 21-man squad to face York Knights on Saturday.
Recent signing Erme Guler has dropped out due to a groin issue, but Powell said: “I’d expect him to be fit next week.
“We want him available when we get to the play-offs so we’ve been pretty cautious with Emre this week.”
After York, Wakefield host Warrington Wolves then travel to Leigh Leopards – currently behind fourth-placed Trinity on points difference – to conclude the regular season.
With a home play-off eliminator the target, Powell said: “I’ve told the players we need to win all three games.”