Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth gives Luke Gale update ahead of possible debut v Leeds Rhinos

And Trinity coach Mark Applegarth says young centre Jack Croft has a chance of featuring in the home derby, just a week after being stretchered off and taken to hospital during Wakefield’s Magic Weekend loss to Leigh Leopards.

Gale, who captained Rhinos when they won the Challenge Cup three years ago, joined Trinity from Championship outfit Keighley Cougars at the start of May.

A groin injury delayed his first appearance for Betfred Super League’s bottom club, but he could be included when coach Mark Applegarth names a 21-man squad at noon on Friday.

Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today ( Thursday), Applegarth said Gale got through some kicking practice with the other half-backs that morning, but stressed: “It’s more about making sure it is fully healed and he can deal with the game demands that are going to be put on him.”

He said: “We’ll see how he pulls up, he is genuinely 50-50 for this Leeds game. It would be nice to have him, I am desperate to get him on that field.

“I think he will be massive for us in terms of helping steer us around and giving us a bit of composure, but at the same time, he can’t help being injured. We just have to make sure when he gets back on the field he is fully fit.”