Castleford Tigers v Huddersfield Giants: Makeshift Tigers still in play-off hunt says Daryl Powell

Hull KR's Jimmy Keinhorst has joined Castleford on a two-week loan. Picture: Tony Foster/Hull KR/SWpix.com.

Tigers’ two fixtures after the Challenge Cup semi-final loss to St Helens 16 days ago were postponed because of a coronavirus outbreak in the Castleford camp.

Powell has named a 19-man squad, two fewer than normal, which includes just seven of the team which played at Wembley and three newcomers on short-term loan, Hull KR centre Jimmy Keinhorst and Featherstone Rovers duo half-back Jake Sweeting and loose-forward Loui McConnell.

Keinhorst, a former Leeds Rhinos player, is on a two-week deal. Sweeting, a Tigers academy product and McConnell, who came through Rhinos’ youth system, have signed for one week.

Loui McConnell has joined Castleford from Featherstone and is in contention to play against Huddersfield. Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos/SWpix.com.

Powell confirmed: “We’ve only got one injury, all the rest are Covid-related.”

He said: “It is a massive issue for us and the sport, but we had to play this game so we have to get on with it.

“I am really thankful to the clubs who’ve helped us, Hull KR and Featherstone. Those boys came in and trained with us [yesterday].

“I still think we’ve got a strong team out there – there’s some young players, but some really good experience as well.

Jake Sweeting, who has joined Castleford Tigers on loan from Featherstone. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“We haven’t got any half-backs available, which creates its own problems, but we’ll do our very best.

“We are 100 per cent committed as we always are and we need to go out and win this game. That’s clearly going to be a tough ask, but I think we are capable of doing that.”

Another postponement would have been a huge blow, on and off the field.

“There’s the financial aspect of it and we haven’t played much,” Powell noted. “That was a big issue at Wembley, that we hadn’t played enough games.