Monday 14 March 2016 10:57, UK
Hull KR coach James Webster hopes Terry Campese will not be absent too long after suffering a hamstring injury on his return to action.
The former Canberra stand-off hobbled off 58 minutes into Rovers' 38-6 defeat at Huddersfield, which leaves them bottom of the table after making their worst ever start to a First Utility Super League campaign.
Campese, who underwent major knee surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last June, crumbled to the ground after hoisting a high kick and Webster admitted he initially feared a recurrence.
"When he's on the ground with his hand up in the air, you think 'has he done his knee?' but it's the hamstring in his other leg," interim coach Webster said.
"While we're obviously disappointed, it's good that it's not his knee. We've no idea how bad it is but he'll definitely miss some period of time.
"He's an experienced player who understands injuries happen in the game. I'm sure he'll be doing everything possible to get back as quickly as he can."
Hull KR have been bedevilled by injuries and they lost hooker Shaun Lunt with a calf problem in his first game of the season while scrum-half Albert Kelly's return from a hamstring injury has been put on hold which meant a continued run in the team for youngster Matty Marsh.
Webster, who took over from Chris Chester as coach earlier this month, admitted the fresh injuries in Sunday's took a toll but he remains confident he can turn around their fortunes.
"We weren't good enough with the ball at the start," he added. "We were second best at the ruck and they ran a bit harder than us.
"I thought we did a really good job to stay within 12 points at half-time and we seemed to rectify a few of the things we spoke about at half-time but the fatigue factor really hurt us towards the end.
"It's going to be hard work we're a confident club and we think we can turn it around."
Huddersfield, also badly hit by injuries in the first month of the season, were boosted by the return of Eorl Crabtree, Joe Wardle and Kyle Wood who all made significant contributions, while full-back Jordan Tansey scored on his debut with his first touch of the ball.
"Winning is definitely better than losing," Giants coach Paul Anderson said. "It does relieve some pressure, the boys are happy in there.
"I thought for 40 to 50 minutes you could tell both teams were a little bit nervous but we settled the quicker and created a lot of opportunities. We stayed patient and came up with some good sets."
Anderson confirmed that prop Daniel Smith will not play again this season after undergoing foot surgery but expects fellow front rower Craig Huby to be the next player back from injury at Easter.
"We just need to get people back on the field and training continuously," Anderson said. "We've not lost anybody else today which is a positive.
"All the people who came back grew into the game and Jordan Tansey had an impact and is only got to get better as gets to know our structures. There was no real sense of panic but we can't rest on that. We have an opportunity to start knocking some points off."
