The prop is in Hull KR contention.
Jordan Dezaria Hull KR training. (Image: Hull KR)
Willie Peters has stated that Hull KR prop Jordan Dezaria is ‘not far off’ the selection radar after a positive week of training.
The 29-year-old is yet to make his competitive first-team debut but played for the Robin’s reserves side against Hull FC earlier this month.
Recovering from two hamstring setbacks earlier this year, the Frenchman is working hard in training to get himself to the right level with Peters – who laid out a challenge to the new signing last week – suggesting he is ‘on the right track’ after a tough start to his Rovers career.
“Jordan played last week in a reserves game against Hull FC, so he’ll be eligible for selection this week,” Peters said. “It’s up to him now. He played last week, so we’ll look at that, we’ll look at training, and see where he’s at.
“He’s not too far away. He’s an experienced player and there’s no doubt that he had a setback or two doing his hamstring twice. That put him back, unfortunately, but he’s training well at the moment, which is good.
“We had a good session today, and he was a big part of that, so as long as he keeps doing that and working hard on getting his fitness to where it needs to be, then he’ll put himself in the frame.”
Peters confirmed that his Hull KR squad are all good to go again following Saturday’s last-gasp defeat to Catalans Dragons, with no fresh injuries arising. The Robins remain without Arthur Mourgue and Rhys Martin to injury, while Lee Kershaw and Declan Murphy are also sidelined.
“Everyone is okay,” Peters said. Everyone who played last week will be eligible for selection. Kersh and Declan are still out for a while.”
On the contrary, Friday’s opponents St Helens have copped another long-term injury lay off, with hooker Jake Burns sidelined with an ankle blow. He joins a long list containing the likes of Matty Lees, Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Jacob Host, Nene Macdonald, and Alex Walmsley on the treatment table.
Saints are not the only club doing it tough this year either, with the likes of Leigh Leopards, Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, and Hull FC seeing their squads decimated to injury.
Asked why the competition has seen an increase in injuries this year, Peters believes it’s not down to one factor. He said: “It’s hard to put a finger on why it is. There can be a lot of different factors. I’m not going to say it’s one particular thing.
“Naturally, quicker rucks can speed up the game. Teams also look at surfaces they train on, some train on 4G, some train on grass. Every programme is different and every club will look at their programme internally.
“Unfortunately with rugby league, you can’t help a large part of injuries as well. We have those we call rugby injuries where it’s just unlucky – a twist in the wrong spot, or being in the wrong position or whatever it may be.
“It’s difficult to know across the league, but we certainly look internally around on where we’re at, what we need to keep doing well, and where we can improve.
“We’ll continue to look to do that. I don’t like talking around injuries, as it’s part of the game, and unfortunately, they can happen at any time.”