Castleford sign Wigan's Ainscough

Coach Terry Matterson today moved to bring him to The Jungle following Richard Owen's season-ending broken leg.

Ainscough, 20, burst to prominence during the first half of last year when he scored 17 tries in just 12 appearances for Wigan.

However, the former England Academy international fell out of favour and has started this campaign playing for Widnes Vikings.

"With Richard Owen ruled out and Kirk Dixon not quite ready to return, I felt it was important for us to bring someone in pretty quickly," said Matterson, who expects to give Ainscough his debut against Hull KR on Saturday evening.

"Shaun is an exiting young player who did very well last season but Wigan have a fair bit of strength in his position which saw him placed on a dual-contract with Widnes.

"I'm very pleased that we have been able to bring him on-board.

"He is very quick and he has shown that he knows the way to the line."

Matterson should be able to call on Dixon - missing after a problematic blood clot - for the first time this season in a fortnight.

In the meantime, Ainscough will get the first opportunity to fill in for Owen who suffered a double fracture against Bradford last Friday during Castleford's second successive loss.

"Initially Shaun will be with us for a month, and he cannot be recalled in that time, but there may be an opportunity for that to be extended if it suits all parties," added the coach.

However, Ainscough is unable to play against Wigan on March 21 or in the Carnegie Challenge Cup.