Injury scare leaves Brough in race to be fit for eliminator

The Scotland World Cup star should return from a two-game absence to bolster his club’s Grand Final bid on Friday night.

He suffered a painful rupture in the win over Hull FC and was rushed to hospital requiring emergency treatment.

Stand-off Brough missed the final regular Super League game against St Helens but, more importantly, Thursday’s embarrassing 57-4 qualifying play-off defeat at champions Wigan Warriors.

Coach Paul Anderson now desperately needs his talisman to be fit for Friday’s sudden-death visit from Catalan Dragons.

Speaking for the first time about the incident, Brough told The Yorkshire Post: “Obviously it’s still sore but the physios are doing what they can to try and get me ready for Friday.

“I got a knee in it in the first half against Hull but adrenaline got me through.

“Afterwards, when the swelling and bruising came out, the doc and physio both said I should go straight to A&E.

“It was a bit weird, doctors grabbing it and looking at it like that. It’s not the nicest thing.

“I then went to three different surgeons in Manchester, Leeds and Huddersfield. Two said I could lose it if I had an op’ and the other didn’t want to do it.

“If I’d have had surgery, I wouldn’t have been back any quicker so that made my mind up. The physios have to try and get my core strength sorted. It is a natural healing process but if I keep moving it’s easier, too.”

The reigning Man of Steel, Brough is desperate to lead Huddersfield to a maiden Super League Grand Final.

They finished top for the first time in 81 years last season but fell at the semi-final stage.

The West Yorkshire club came third this time around and will be favourites to progress to the last four again when they host Catalan, although they did stun Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.

But Brough, 31, also knows his side have a task on their hands to recover from the humiliation of that Wigan debacle.

“I was disappointed for the lads,” he said. “There was a lot of tired bodies out there from the win against St Helens.

“But there should be no excuses in a play-off game to not give your all.

“We let ourselves and the club down. We’ve another chance to make sure we don’t suffer a disappointing end to the year.

“I am fairly confident I’ll be okay and fit. I’ve not played for a couple of week so I can’t wait to blow off some cobwebs.”