HARRY KIDD anticipates being fit for a return to action before the end of April – if, of course, there’s any action to return to by that stage.
The Hunslet prop dislocated a shoulder during the Parksiders’ Betfred League 1 win over North Wales Crusaders on Sunday 8 March – a victory which kept the south Leeds outfit at the top of the early-season table – but with fixtures put on hold in the light of the coronavirus pandemic he is likely to have missed only one game, the Coral Challenge Cup reverse at Featherstone Rovers five days after his injury.
He said: “I spoke to Nick Taylor and it was also decided that I see a specialist in Huddersfield, Garry Slade, who has worked for such as Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants.
“Nick came with me and we decided collectively that it was best to let the shoulder heal through physiotherapy rather than having an operation, especially as it had popped back in by itself on the day of the North Wales game.
“I’ve had three sessions so far with Garry, it’s progressing well, and the estimate is for me to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks from the date of the injury.”
Kidd, 24, who has made a huge impression with his aggression and his ball-handling skills, continued: “I only had five days off because of the injury and I was able to start running within a week. I’ve been doing five kilometres a day and a programme’s been put together to enable me to get back to full fitness.
“I can’t wait to get back into action but of course everything’s up in the air right now, and not just in Rugby League. But Head Coach Gary Thornton has stressed that we need to be ready to play again at short notice, and that’s the approach we’re taking as a squad.
“We’re all working hard to keep fully fit, and we’re keeping in touch with each other on our whatsapp group, offering each other support.
“We’ll be ready when the call comes. I’m feeling no gip at all, and I’m working as hard as I can. It’s awkward having no gym to go to, but I’m able to exercise as well as run and I’ve got some special bands to help build up my shoulder.”
He concluded: “I’m hungry to get back to normal. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Hunslet since joining on dual-registration from Halifax last year, and agreeing a full deal before Christmas. And it’s fantastic playing under Gary Thornton; he’s a great coach and he’s got superb management skills, he makes you want to play for him.”
