Albert Vete in Castleford Tigers exit talks as Craig Lingard discusses Ben Nakubuwai
Castleford Tigers head coach Craig Lingard has confirmed talks have taken place regarding a potential exit from the club for Albert Vete. The prop forward is back in the treatment room after picking up another injury, with the club now looking at the possibility of moving him on to provide them more recruitment opportunities.
That would allow them to recruit an overseas player, with Love Rugby League suggesting Ben Nakubuwai was a player of interest. Lingard admitted talks had taken place but implied other options were also being looked at.
On Vete, Lingard said: "We know Albert's injury issues and the situation now where he's injured again. Conversations have been taking place around that but again, I know I sound like a broken record, but it's a fluid situation."
Pushed on recruitment, Lingard admitted they had held talks with a number of clubs but that there was nothing imminent following the short-term capture of Hull KR winger Louis Senior.
"The conversations we've had with other clubs as well, it's ongoing hour by hour and unfortunately we've not been able to bring in anyone this week. It's not been through a lack of trying behind the scenes and we're hoping there's going to be a bit more movement this weekend and early next week and we might get several more bodies in.
"But it depends how other teams pull through their games with respect to injuries and suspensions. As it stands, we're expecting a few more bodies in, but it's dependent on what happens this weekend."
On Nakubuwai, Lingard added: "We've had discussions around that, but obviously, as we've said previously, our quota spots at the minute are full and if we want someone in we have to get someone out and it's reliant on Leigh as well. It's not a case of us wanting to bring someone in and them someone out. It's a little like buying a house and where you are in the chain, it's not quite that simple as some people think. There's a lot of moving parts to each individual deal you try to do."
Meanwhile, Lingard confirmed the club would be appealing the five-match ban imposed on Sylvester Namo after he was found guilty of Grade E dangerous contact. Meanwhile, Luis Johnson has picked up a calf strain that will see him miss a number of weeks while Joe Westerman should be fit to play against London Broncos next week.
"Westy has been playing broken for a few weeks and he needs an injection in his ankle to try and remedy the issues he's got," Lingard revealed. "But once he has the injection he's got to be off feet for three or four days and the only time we could get him in was tomorrow so he's ready for that injection and we're hopeful he'll come through that and be fit and available for London."
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