New recruit Muizz Mustapha is one of three Hull KR players who will miss Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Castleford Tigers with a minor injury.

The young prop – an off-season arrival from Leeds Rhinos on an initial one-year loan – has a knee issue that could rule him out of KR’s Super League opener against Catalans Dragons on March 27.

Half-back Rowan Milnes and forward Owen Harrison are also set to sit out the trial game as a precaution.

“Muizz Mustapha is going to miss out,” said Smith. “He’s got a small tear in his patella tendon.

“It’ll maybe keep him out for two to three weeks, which is unfortunate for him because he was so keen to get a run this week.

“Rowan Milnes has got a bit of a sternum problem at the moment. That just needs to settle.

“The other one is Owen Harrison. Whether he settles down before Sunday, I’m not sure. He’s got a bit of a bruised heel that’s hampering his training at the moment.

“Aside from that I think most others are ready to go.”

The knee problem is a blow for Mustapha at the start of his time at Rovers, with the match against Castleford the club’s only hit-out ahead of the new season.

But Smith says he still has time to prove his fitness for round one.

“I’m not sure yet,” Smith added when asked whether this injury rules Mustapha out of that game.

“I’ve got to see how others aim up and see whether he’s fit and healthy by then. He’ll have to go through the rigours of training to prove himself.

“I’m not going to rule anyone out and use the crystal ball for something down the track.

Jez Litten, Elliot Minchella and Muizz Mustapha during a training session
Jez Litten, Elliot Minchella and Muizz Mustapha during a training session

“I know he’s disappointed. He would have liked to have had a hit-out this week and put his name further into the hat for selection for that game.

“I’m keeping an open mind about all of them.”