Tom Johnstone was left out of Wakefield Trinity’s 21-man squad to face Catalans Dragons on Friday evening as the club continued to manage an ongoing Achilles problem. The winger had been expected to be fit enough to return after the break for last week’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, but that comeback did not happen.
Daryl Powell said Johnstone had “a little problem with his Achilles” that was still lingering and explained that Wakefield did not want to turn a short-term issue into a long-term injury. He added that Johnstone was not able to get on the field at this point in time, even though he wants to play and is disappointed to miss out. For Wakefield, the decision comes during a spell of important fixtures, with the French opposition arriving before a week off for the cup final.
The absence of Johnstone leaves Wakefield without one of their more dangerous attacking options as they try to halt a run of back-to-back defeats. The club had hoped the Challenge Cup semi-finals break would give him enough time to recover, but the lingering nature of the injury has forced a more cautious approach.
There was better news elsewhere in the squad. Jazz Tevaga, Isaiah Vagana and Seth Nikotemo are all over the issues that kept them out against Leeds and are set to return against Catalans Dragons this weekend. Tevaga has been missing since the Challenge Cup quarter-final against Wigan Warriors with a knee problem, while Powell said the trio’s return gives the side more options.
Powell said Tevaga’s comeback comes after a few weeks out since the Challenge Cup game, and that he would manage the forward’s minutes carefully. He also said Seth had taken a head knock and that Wakefield had been a little light in the back row last time out, but added that the squad is starting to look healthier now. Even so, he stressed there had been big calls to make this week and that the team selected had to give Wakefield the best chance of winning an important game.
The picture around Trinity is straightforward enough. Johnstone is still not ready, the club is being careful with him, and the pressure on the squad is rising as it moves into a run of matches that could shape the next few weeks. Whether Wakefield can get through the French games without losing more ground may depend as much on who comes back fit as on who is available now.
