Hull KR struck by further injury blows ahead of 2016 campaign

It is already a major doubt as to whether captain Terry Campese will be ready for the opener against Castleford Tigers on February 7 as he continues his recovery from a knee reconstruction.

Head coach Chris Chester today said he would not “start” that game as the Australian stand-off continues to take his rehabilitation week to week.

However, he also revealed that former England hooker Shaun Lunt will undergo ankle surgery tomorrow and France second-row Kevin Larroyer may face a period on the sidelines after dislocating a shoulder in Sunday’s sobering 38-6 home friendly defeat against Huddersfield Giants.

“I think Kevin will miss the start of the season,” Chester said, about the former Catalans Dragons player.

“The doctor popped his shoulder straight back in which was good but we’ll wait and see what the specialist says.

“It’s just a matter of finding out how long he’ll be out for.

“Shaun will go in for surgery on Wednesday; he’s got a bursa on his ankle which is some bone that needs removing.

“The worst case scenario with Shaun is six weeks, but the best is four so it rules him out of the first few games at least.”

Both are significant blows for Rovers who are desperate to address their disappointing 2015.

On Campese, Chester added: “He’s quite well on with his rehab and he’s doing what the boys are doing but with the skin graft, if that’s not ready it increases the chance of him doing the injury again, and we’re not willing to take that risk.

“We’ll take it week by week with him and when he knows he’s ready to play he’ll make the right noises.

“He’s a massive player for us; last year him and Albert Kelly were the standout half-backs for the first ten weeks of the year, and it’s no coincidence we were going well with them two out on the field.

“But we can’t rush him. It’s vital we get lots of games out of him this year.”