Canterbury Bulldogs’ star winger, Josh Addo-Carr, has been officially ruled out of the team’s Round 2 match against the Cronulla Sharks, despite expressing a desire to play. Coach Cameron Ciraldo confirmed on Thursday morning, after the club’s captain’s run, that the winger would not be part of the lineup for the game.
As he was named only as a reserve in the squad, this means that the Bulldogs will stick to their original lineup for the clash, which is scheduled to kick off at 6pm (AEDT) on Friday in the Shire, with Blake Wilson and Connor Tracey on the wings.
Addo-Carr was cleared of a significant injury earlier in the week that might have sidelined him for up to two months. The Bulldogs anticipate his return to be between Round 3 and 5.
However, director of football Phil Gould surprised by suggesting that star winger Josh Addo-Carr may be a late addition to the club’s Friday night clash against the Cronulla Sharks.
“The coach said yesterday that he’s asked to play and he still thinks he is a chance of playing,” Gould revealed on his Six Tackles with Gus podcast.
“I think they picked the team with the thought he was gonna be out, but they’ve chucked him on the bench just in case.
“I would think it’s unlikely and it would be in his best interests to have a week off, just to get it to 100 per cent, but he’s a bit like that, the Foxx.
“He’s rung the coach and said ‘no I’m still keen to go around’. It’s a short week – they will probably sort it out.”
If he did make a surprise return, it wouldn’t be the first time the speedy winger has returned ahead of schedule. Last year, he made a remarkable comeback from a syndesmosis injury, rejoining the team three weeks ahead of schedule.
“‘Foxx’ is always in good spirits, and obviously, he’s going to try his best to get out there on the weekend,” teammate Jacob Kiraz said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“He did it last year … shocked everyone when he came back after four or five weeks, and I know he’s going to put himself in the best position to play.”
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