Mark Applegarth has confirmed Wakefield attempted to sign Leeds Rhinos fullback Luke Hooley on loan. Rugby League Live revealed the Rhinos had knocked back interest from Trinity, who are looking to cover Max Jowitt while he deals with an ankle injury.
Hooley himself has only just returned from an ankle injury and featured in the Rhinos' reserve side last week, his first action of the season. That had prompted Wakefield to enquire about his services but Leeds have decided to reject it.
With Max Jowitt and Lee Gaskell both injured, Wakefield are low on options and have played winger Liam Kay there in recent weeks. That search will now continue, with Applegarth confirming a number of enquiries had been made.
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Applegarth went on to suggest he believed injury concerns could have prompted Leeds' reluctance to send Hooley. Leeds do have the likes of Ash Handley out of action at present.
"Luke is a player that I signed myself for Wakefield," he said. "I've known him for a while and I did enquire about him.
"He's just come back from an ankle injury himself, they've just played him in their reserves. I think they've some injury concerns themselves and rightfully they're keeping him there in case they need him. Knowing Luke's ability if there is then he'd be straight into their team, he's a player I rate very highly and hopefully we see him play some Super League soon. I'll be looking forward to seeing him killing it apart from when he plays us.
"We enquired about Luke, we enquired about a number of fullbacks, I don't think there's massive depth across Super League clubs and if they do pick one or two injuries up they're wanting to keep them internally which is understandable. So I think it is harder than it has been but it is what it is, you crack on."
The latest House of League is out now. Matthew Shaw is joined by a variety of guests to discuss Kruise Leeming's shock Leeds Rhinos exit, Wakefield Trinity's pitch saga and more. You can listen to the full show below or alternatively subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple Music.
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