Hunslet will be without two key players for Sunday’s Kingstone Press League One Shield final against London Skolars after they were injured in the 18-12 win over the same opposition two days ago.
That sealed top spot in the Shield table and means Hunslet will have home advantage in this weekend’s decider, but it came at a cost with Matty Nicholson and Nyle Flynn both needing hospital treatment.
Coach Gary Thornton said: “Matty has an a/c joint injury and it looks like a grade two or three. That is a massive blow and I am gutted for him.
“He went to hospital [on Sunday night] and he’s going back for a scan, but it looks like a bad one.”
Nicholson, who underwent a knee reconstruction last year, is facing surgery and is likely to miss much of pre-season.
He had played in Hunslet’s last 11 games and agreed a new contract for next year.
Of Flynn, Thornton said: “He also went to hospital, but it is not as bad. He has really bad bruising around the shoulder joint and he will definitely be missing for Sunday so we will be stretched.
“We have only got Jose Kenga and Josh Nathaniel to come in. We’ve not had a bad run with injuries, but we’ve been hit quite hard just when it matters for the final.”
Thornton was pleased with his team’s defence on Sunday, but feels they will need to be sharper on attack in the final.
