Injury update

With the Pontypridd squad now fully focused on their one remaining fixture of the current campaign – the Welsh Cup Final against Neath on Saturday 17^th May – the treatment room at Sardis Road is a busy venue, with a number of players suffering from aches and strains.

The latest long term casualty is winger Kristian Baller, with the injury which forced him to retire hurt from the recent league game away at Cardiff, now confirmed as a double fracture of the left foot. Kristian will join other long standing injury victims, winger Gavin Close and scrum half Rhys Downes, as definite absentees from the cup final tie.

Prop Stuart Williams is beleaguered by a double injury to the back and ankle, and although hoping to respond to intensive treatment over the coming week, is still classed as doubtful for next Saturday’s big match. Fellow prop Ryan Harford has had the plaster removed from a broken thumb, and is hoping to prove his fitness in the lead up to the cup final.

A number of other Ponty players have been suffering varying degrees of soft tissue damage, but all expected to be up for selection for the cup decider against Neath. Full back Lawrence Price (shoulder), centres Gavin Dacey (groin), Adam Thomas (hip) and Paul Matthews (hamstring), outside half Gareth McCarthy (ankle), hooker Duane Goodfield (dead leg) and no 8 and skipper Nathan Strong (bruised toe) have all been spending time on the treatment table and are expected to be given the all clear to play if selected.