Widnes coach Allan Coleman has provided an update on his injured players following the Challenge Cup defeat to Leeds.
Coleman was without four players for the cup clash that were injured in the league win over North Wales Crusaders – Sam Wilde, Joe Edge, Nick Gregson and Jumah Sambou.
Wilde was helped from the field with an ankle injury and left the ground on crutches, but the timeline for his return is around five weeks, which Coleman says is better than they expected.
Edge went off late with a hamstring injury that will likely keep him out until the away game with Oldham, but Gregson and Sambou should be fine to return this weekend at Workington Town.
Half-back Tom Gilmore has been back in training and is available to play, and perhaps would have featured at the weekend had it not been against a full-time team.
Young winger Frank Sargent should be running in the next two weeks after suffering an injury in the off-season, while Liam Bent is on the sidelines and due to have a shoulder operation.
Despite missing three or four of his strongest 13, Coleman saw his Widnes side put up a real fight against Super League giants Leeds, and highlighted the danger of Adam Lawton and Morgan McWhirter.
Coleman said: “It’s good to have Lawton back. There’s a few bits where he punishes himself, but I said to him he did some fantastic things also. He’s good for us. He’s a secret weapon and I think Morgan McWhirter is becoming that weapon as well for us.
“Our starting middles were tremendous today. Gregson to come back, Lewis Hall has done 50/60 minutes as well, and we’re looking elsewhere as well which is vital for us as a club, and slowly but surely we’ll get bodies back.
“As soon as the likes of Wilde, Edge and Jumah’s back, it’s a real competitive squad.”
