Clare the ideal man to cover for Carney in semi-final

The Australian was handed a two-game suspension after being found guilty of a Grade B dangerous throw on London Broncos player Thomas Minns.

It means Castleford’s leading try-scorer – Carney has amassed 24 in just 21 games this term – is out of their crucial game with Widnes Vikings and the following week’s Super League trip to Warrington Wolves.

But Powell, who also saw second-row Weller Haurakai lose his own appeal against a two-game ban, said: “We’ll deal with it.

“There’s not a lot we can do about it now.

“We’ve got James Clare who’s been outstanding when he’s played this year and we’ve had a big squad for a reason, whether it be injuries or difficult situations like we have at the moment.

“We’ll get on with it. Justin’s obviously disappointed but he’s going to be as that’s just human nature.”

Carney, 26, also missed Castleford’s quarter-final win at holders Wigan Warriors after receiving a two-game ban for punching Widnes’ Paddy Flynn during their Super League victory in May.

On this latest incident, Powell said: “It was a tackle that he tried to get out of and the mechanics of tackles at times make it difficult.

“We’ve made a lot this year of the ethic of the squad, its depth and everyone being able to slot in and do a high quality job.

“In our game against Hull recently, the two tries James Clare scored were top quality.

“We’ve got good players in every position so we’ll manage it.”

Academy product Clare, 23, has scored seven times in 12 matches this term having only made his breakthrough in 2012.

Meanwhile, the game officially sold out yesterday when the last remaining tickets for the tie at Leigh Sports Village were snapped up.

The stadium will be at its 12,005 capacity for the match, which decides whether it will be Castleford or Widnes who end their 20-plus year wait for a return to Wembley on Saturday, August 23.