Castleford Tigers boss Craig Lingard addresses Paul McShane speculation and reveals recruitment decision

McShane has featured just six times in the past 12 months due to a broken arm and subsequent complications.

"It's been well publicised recently that Macca is exploring his opportunities to go over to Australia and play over there for a couple of seasons," said Lingard.

"We're happy to support that and are still working on that together now.

"At the minute, he's still contracted to us for next season but if anything concrete materialises in the meantime, Macca will be going over to Australia.

"If he stays, brilliant and if he doesn't and gets to experience that lifestyle in Australia which I believe he's been wanting to do for a while, he's earnt that reward to do that with his family."

Liam Horne and Cain Robb have stepped up in McShane's ongoing absence but Lingard will be forced into a change at hooker for Thursday's visit of Leigh Leopards.

With Horne suspended following an incident in last week's defeat at Salford Red Devils, George Lawler will start the game at nine to allow Robb to stay on the bench.

Young full-back Fletcher Rooney has been handed his home debut in place of injured winger Jason Qareqare, while Daniel Hindmarsh-Takyi is also poised to make his second Super League appearance off the bench.

"Jason Qareqare has pulled out with a bit of a hamstring twinge so Fletcher Rooney will play," said Lingard.

"Tex (Hoy) will still be at full-back and Fletcher will come in on the right wing.

"It's going to be a proud moment for him and his family. I've had a chat to him and he's a little bit nervous but I told him to trust his instincts and back himself because he's there on merit."

Rookie half-back Jenson Windley has been handed 18th-man duties and is on standby in case of a late withdrawal.

Lingard will resist the temptation to dip into the recruitment market before Friday's deadline as he continues to look to the future.

"We'll be seeing the season out with what we've got, I would imagine," he said.

"We're low on bodies at the minute and that's why these three young kids have come into the 21-man squad.

"It's forced our hand a little bit to introduce these young kids like I mentioned last week.

"If we pick up any more injuries or bans, I would imagine a lot more of these younger players will play more games between now and the end of the season than we had initially pencilled in."

Castleford face a Leigh outfit that are making a late charge for the play-offs thanks to three straight wins, including a 46-4 rout of St Helens last week.

Lingard regards the Leopards as darkhorses for the title.

"I honestly think that if they do manage to get into the play-offs, they could go on and win it now they've got all their big guns back," he said.