Gale has had his appendix out and out for the rest of the season.

We have a great excuse now if we don't make the GF

How convenient for Cas that he managed to play in the important game against Leeds (shake their confidence for the GF by losing 4 games so far) but is then struck with an illness which will see him out of action for 2 weeks when they didn't really need him to play...

I think it's a massive inconvenience for Cas that one of their key players is out for the playoffs.

Nothing on the cas site to say this is true

After a laparoscopic removal of the appendix, the vast majority of people will be able to undertake their normal level of activity and exercise at around 2-3 weeks post surgery. This is far from season ending and the Cas report even says it COULD rule him out for the season, not that it HAS ruled him out

Quote musson="musson"Nothing on the cas site to say this is true'" https://twitter.com/CTRLFC/status/907691518944825344

Quote musson="musson"Nothing on the cas site to say this is true'" https://twitter.com/CTRLFC/status/907691518944825344

GF is 3 and a half weeks away. People might be able to return to a normal level after 3 weeks but playing RL isn't exactly your normal level.

It's back to the persons own level of fitness pre-op. Gale is averaging making 11 tackles per game and is probably tackled even fewer times so the additional impact on his body is fairly minimal for an RL player

This is bad news for Cas and us. Cas are due to play Wigan and Hull next and we could really do with Cas having a full strength team so they can win those matches.

Even so, what's the issue here?

Fitness is a different thing compared to impacts on his body from tackles. When they say persons own level of fitness they won't mean potentially getting smashed by a 17st man. If he plays in the GF if Cas get there then they'd be taking a massive risk. One big tackle and he could have to come off. Opposition will just run at him and he'll want to avoid being tackled which will effect his game. Kicking could also be an issue.

It genuinely isn't a massive operation. Internally, he should only have a wound about 1" long, and externally he will have a couple of small wounds which are around 1/2", all of which will be glued and should be pretty much completely healed by the week of the semi final, the pain levels post op are similar to that of a stomach cramp and subside within a week or two.

he's good but not that good.

I know it's not a massive operation but there's still a recovery time involved. Yes they say you can return to normal activity in 3 weeks but they also say you should avoid strenuous activity, I'd say playing a game of RL would fall under strenuous and not the "normal" activity they have in mind.

Not sure where you are coming from on this? Are you saying that he played against the Whino's whilst suffering from appendisisis or you saying that Cas are lying about the operation.

FWIW we do have other options and have won without him before.

304 tackles and he's played in 26 games, averages out at 11.7 tackles per game

Yes but you have put that he was averaging 11 tries per game. Anyway he has tweeted that surgery went well and he hopes to be back with the lads in a few days.

Lol. The medical knowledge on this forum is astounding.

With the state of the NHS we could be on to something here "Just ask Trin"

In Gale's absence will the RFL need to supply their own referees assistant????

lol best post of week , not sure what difference it makes - if Wigan and hull beat cas and we beat them we still finish on 34 to their 33 , of either of them beat us then game over !

Has it said what procedure he had?

I had mine done and wash rushed in so was cut rather than keyhole which makes it six weeks not three weeks. If went to normal hospital rather than private they would think about patients health rather than can he play in 2 or 3 weeks.

Hope he fit for the World Cup

Very unlikely he's had 4 hours in pinder's A&E department.



For all the talking in the world, he's back when he's back.



Personally if we stick mcshane at 7 for now I'm reasonably confident he can do a good enough job.



Gale has been sensational but I don't think you'll find many coaches who say cas are a one man team. It's a massive hindrance, no doubt, but if we don't fulfil our potential and win the GF, I for one certainly won't be using it as an excuse.



Compared with other clubs, and other seasons, we've had an outstanding year in terms of injuries. Very rarely more than 1 or 2 starters out at once.



As it stands gale is the only absentee in our squad, which still makes us remarkably healthy for this time of year