Luke Gale blow as injury delays return for Bradford Bulls

7:00am Tuesday 5th February 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Luke Gale is still experiencing pain from his injured ankle Luke Gale is still experiencing pain from his injured ankle

Luke Gale has suffered an injury setback which will keep him out of action for at least another month.

The Bulls scrum half underwent surgery at the end of last season after sustaining an ankle injury while on duty with England Knights.

Gale had hoped to be fit for the start of the season but is now set for several more weeks on the sidelines.

Bulls coach Francis Cummins is reluctant to put any timescale on Gale’s comeback but said: “Luke has experienced some pain which has set him back. The most important thing now is to get him right again.”

Meanwhile, Curtis Naughton will be assessed again today after being stretchered off in the Under-19s’ home win over Wakefield last Thursday with a knee injury.

The teenage full back underwent initial X-Rays which were all clear before he was reass-essed by the Bulls’ medical staff and saw a specialist for an MRI scan yesterday.

It was revealed he suffered a tear of his lateral meniscus (cartilage in knee joint) and is due to have keyhole surgery this afternoon to investigate and repair if necessary.

It is hoped that a simple, small meniscal tear can be repaired during the operation and see him back in action within a month.

Meanwhile, James Donald-son and Adam O’Brien are expected to feature for Dewsbury again at home to Featherstone this weekend.

Both men played off the bench in Sunday’s 22-16 win at Doncaster, with O’Brien scoring two first-half tries.

 

Comments(10)

UNBULLIEVABLE says...
8:32am Tue 5 Feb 13

It's a shame for galey as I know all the lads just want to play , especially after a lay off , but as the team seem to be going well with the halves partnership for now it's not a bad thing that we will have someone of Luke's quality coming back into the side after a few rounds and then Kearney back to FB and foster out on the wing?.

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Van Bellen's Baby says...
8:58am Tue 5 Feb 13

If Sammut puts in another shift like Sunday it will be difficult to drop him to the bench to accommodate Gayle

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Blackie-Lawless says...
9:14am Tue 5 Feb 13

agreed, the combination in the halves at the moment is looking good, so when LG is fit it will pose a dilema re selection, but no point rushing him back, Foster is kicking well and with Samut and Kearney running the side we dont need to panick. lets just hope none of the above pick up an injury before Gayle is is fit to return or we might then struggle for cover.

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fraternise says...
11:30am Tue 5 Feb 13

Well at least it gives FC a few options to try, for example put Foster on the wing to allow him a few runs, and put Platt at Full back...not that Jamie Foster is bad at full back, but Frannie would have the options and luxury of rotating the playing style, when required.

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Bull4eva says...
12:41pm Tue 5 Feb 13

fraternise wrote:
Well at least it gives FC a few options to try, for example put Foster on the wing to allow him a few runs, and put Platt at Full back...not that Jamie Foster is bad at full back, but Frannie would have the options and luxury of rotating the playing style, when required.
What!

Good job you aint coach!

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Prycey says...
3:05pm Tue 5 Feb 13

I am not sure about moving platt but he needs some credit. Platt looked big and agressive on Sunday. He took the ball up well and tackled well. Platt will probably be looked down on forever without being given a chance to re-establish his name. I would still pick Purtel first but he is good cover.

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olicanabull says...
5:20pm Tue 5 Feb 13

It's a pity about Gale but the halves looked very good on Sunday. As others have said, we do need back up there and if one of them is injured we shall be much weaker. What was striking in the Wakefield match was the speed of the play the ball and the speed of the half backs. Gale, though good, is not fast. And I agree about the improvement of Platt - he looked formidable on Sunday, speedy and strong in the tackle and a big physical presence. And it was inspirational of Cummins to play Foster at full back. He seems to be the sort who wants to be involved and his positional play was very good. I've not enjoyed watching the Bulls so much for a long time. There were some mistakes when they tried to keep the ball alive which will be punished by other teams, but it makes for good entertainment and their speed and fitness stood out. Long may it continue.

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wembley bound says...
6:20pm Tue 5 Feb 13

1 Game played long way to go

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barbarian mike says...
9:34pm Tue 5 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
1 Game played long way to go
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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fraternise says...
10:33pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Bull4eva wrote:
fraternise wrote:
Well at least it gives FC a few options to try, for example put Foster on the wing to allow him a few runs, and put Platt at Full back...not that Jamie Foster is bad at full back, but Frannie would have the options and luxury of rotating the playing style, when required.
What!

Good job you aint coach!
What you can't see is that we need to play Foster on the wing, and give him the chance to show us what a good winger he is.

The only recognised full back besides kearney who is at stand off, is in fact Platt. Granted he plays a better game at centre or wing.

And before you come out with a statement like that, think it through.

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