Castleford Tigers told to go out and play against Wigan Warriors as Craig Lingard reveals extent of injury crisis

Craig Lingard could be without as many as 15 players for Sunday's quarter-final tie against Wigan Warriors after seeing Liam Watts, Paul McShane, Joe Westerman and Josh Simm join the casualty list in last week's win over Salford Red Devils.

Westerman has not yet been ruled out of the Wheldon Road clash but Lingard is down to the bare bones, with Simm unlikely to play again this year.

"We trained today and have currently got 15 that are injured," said the Castleford boss during Thursday's press conference.

"Thirteen are definitely out and there are two that need fitness checks. The likelihood is we'll be naming a 19-man squad, at best.

"Liam Watts failed his HIA last weekend so he's automatically sat down.

"Paul McShane did his hamstring again in the warm-up but the strain is in a different place to the last one. He's going to be at least two, three, four weeks.

"Josh Simm has had a scan after dislocating his shoulder and unfortunately it's pretty much going to be a season-ending injury. He's going in for an operation next week and it's a five-to-six-month turnaround on that.

"We lost those three and Joe Westerman has been struggling all week as well. Those four on top of the ones we had going into last week, it's not an ideal situation.

"I can sit here and moan all I want about it but it's not going to change so I might as well crack on with the guys that I've got.

"We've got George Hill and Dan Hindmarsh who is in the squad as well. Those two could potentially both play."

George Lawler is out indefinitely after suffering a seizure caused by a bleed on his brain.

The forward was discharged from hospital last weekend and is set to return to Wheldon Road ahead of the game against Wigan.

"We're hoping George is going to come into the building on Saturday morning at the team run just to show his face," said Lingard.

"He's back home but he's got issues where he can't drive at the minute so getting him into training on a daily basis isn't the main focus for us as yet; it's making sure that George is right.

"Hopefully he'll be at the game on Sunday as well so the fans can give him a bit of an ovation and see that he's returning to health."

Castleford have been on the lookout for reinforcements but are still waiting for a breakthrough in the loan market.

Lingard is optimistic about bolstering his squad in time for next Friday's Super League trip to Wigan.

"Calls have been made and they're happening on an hourly basis," said Lingard, who ruled out a move for Hull FC full-back Tex Hoy. "But with it being the Challenge Cup weekend, it's really difficult.

"We're hoping to get some in next week but situations at clubs change game by game and minute by minute.

"That might be dictated by some of the games this weekend. If teams pick up injuries or suspensions, that may impact some of the conversations we're currently having.

"It's imperative that we start getting some bodies in, particularly in the outside backs where we're struggling for numbers."

Castleford welcome Wigan to Wheldon Road after breaking their Super League duck at the seventh attempt last time out.

The injury-ravaged Tigers face an improbable task against the 20-time winners, who have lost just once since July 2023.

Lingard, however, is relishing the challenge of toppling Wigan after masterminding a series of notable upsets during his time in charge of Batley Bulldogs.

"It was always going to be tough, even if we were at full strength," he said.

"You're playing against the best team in the competition and the world champions. They're showing no signs of easing up this season.

"It's how you perceive these things. I sort of enjoy these situations because you're constantly the underdog.

"It gives an opportunity for people to come in and make a difference. It's how the players respond to the challenge in front of them."

Lingard has instructed his team to play with freedom in a game Wigan are expected to win convincingly.

"There's no pressure on us at all with the injuries we've got and the team we'll put out there," he added.

"All the pressure is on Wigan to perform. Everyone is expecting them to win which is great for us.

"We can go out there and hopefully play without any pressure. We want the players to play and enjoy it.

"We can't go one-out down the middle because they'll bash us all day long. We've got to try and do something a little bit different so we've taken the shackles off the players a little bit.

"If we move them around, defend tough and take the game deep, who knows what can happen."