The Tongan playmaker was substituted just before the half-hour with an AC joint injury, seeing Paul McShane slot into the halves alongside skipper Liam Harris with Sam Cook at hooker.
Head coach Mark Applegarth admitted the half-back was taken off as a precaution, with next week’s 1895 Cup semi-final against Bradford looming, but expects to have a healthy squad to select from against Hunslet.
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“Ata took a bump to his shoulder, but he’s fine,” confirmed Applegarth. “He’s in contention.
“He could have gone back on against London, we just didn’t want to risk him.
“Apart from that, touchwood, it’s just the lads that have been out.
“As long as we get through the rest of training this week, it should be a pretty healthy squad to select from.”
Ben Jones-Bishop, who scored twice against London, took a knock to the nose but will also be available.
“It was a blow to the snout, so it was more painful than anything else!
“He took a bit of a blow to his nose, and that always makes your eyes water, but there was no concussion protocol or anything, it was more that he got a bit of a broken nose that the physio was straightening up after the game.”
Jacques O’Neill will be back in contention after missing last week’s trip to London. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Jacques O’Neill is also back raring to go after missing out on the Knights’ trip to the capital with a tight hamstring.
“Jacques is fine, and he’s trained fully as well,” Applegarth continued.
“It was more a precaution with him coming back from a hamstring strain. We didn’t fancy taking him down and sitting about for that long.
“Jacques will be back in contention for Sunday as well.”
Props Brenden Santi, Ukuma Ta’ai and Jack Teanby could also return to contention against Hunslet – the latter after recovering from injury – with their absences opening the door for Conor Fitzsimmons and youngster Harvey Reynolds to gain valuable minutes in the front row, with both coming through without trouble.
Veteran prop Ukuma Ta’ai was rested last week. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) “Jack Teanby had to miss last week because he had a bit of a flare up on a shoulder problem,” the head coach added.
“But that was literally just a case of four- or five-days’ rest and he was good to go.
“Harvey’s still a young kid learning his trade, so we’ve got to be careful with him not to expect too much, too soon, but he’s definitely showing a lot of potential.
“Fitzy seems to be over his little niggle that he’s got, he trained fully last night, so hopefully he’s got through that game without any adverse reaction.
“We didn’t want to take Ukuma down there, with him just coming back with all the long travel, and then Santi I just felt could do with a bit of a freshen-up.
“They’ll be back in contention, and it’s some decent selection headaches to have.”




































