VIDEO: Family bore brunt of ‘nightmare’ Jewitt

Castleford Tigers Lee Jewitt celebrates his Challenge Cup try against Wigan last June (Picture: Martin Rickett/PA).

However, as he prepares to make his long-awaited comeback tomorrow evening, that is far from his mind.

The forward, such a success after arriving from French club Limoux in May, underwent hip surgery last autumn only to then be told he needed a double hernia operation, too.

“It was very frustrating,” he recalled.

“It wasn’t anyone’s fault that it happened like that and it was just one of those things.

“But it has been a tough period – seven months is a long time – and it’s my family I feel sorry for as I have probably been a nightmare to live with.

“After four or five months you start thinking is it ever going to end, but it’s done now.

“I can’t wait to get back into action.”

Jewitt scored a try in Castleford’s famous Challenge Cup quarter-final win at Wigan last season as they reached Wembley for the first time in 22 years.

However, he was injured in the loss at Catalans on the final day of the regular season when victory would have seen Tigers lift the League Leaders’ Shield.

His return now is timely given the Tigers have endured more injury woe in their pack.

Already missing one second-row Junior Moors, they lost another when Matt Cook suffered an ankle problem in Easter Monday’s crucial victory at Warrington, so the prop’s energy and work-rate at the end of a hectic holiday period will be welcomed by coach Daryl Powell.

Although the West Yorkshire club have been inconsistent, winning four games and losing five so far, Jewitt had been worried there may be no place for him.

“Even when they were losing they were playing well,” said the 28-year-old.

“They were only losing by a try here and there. It was just a case of hoping I’d get back in, but I knew I would have to wait my turn and that would not be a problem.

“Everyone’s on a high after Monday, to go to Warrington, for the second game over the Easter weekend and come up with a result like that, that was just what we needed.

“The big thing now is putting some results together and that means beating Hull KR.

“It’s no good winning one and losing one, for us now it’s about getting some wins under our belts and a bit of consistency.”