Crusaders' Gareth Thomas handed fitness boost

Thomas recently signed a new one-year contract extension with Crusaders

Crusaders wing Gareth Thomas is hoping to play again this season despite breaking his left arm in Saturday's 38-10 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers.

The Wrexham-based Super League side say Thomas, 36, suffered a clean break and is set to be out for four to six weeks.

Crusaders' last match of the season will be against Wigan on 9 September.

Coach Iestyn Harris said: "The break is not as severe as we first thought and there's a really good chance he will play before the end of the season."

Thomas suffered the injury late in the first half against Hull KR and did not return to the field after the interval.

"It is obviously a blow to lose Gareth because he has been one of our most consistent performers this season," added Harris, who is on a seven-match losing streak.

"The scans show that it is a clean break so we're looking at losing him for anything between four to six weeks."

The Crusaders had faced Hull KR without seven players who had been suspended by the club for a breach of discipline.

Jordan Tansey, Lloyd White, Jason Chan, Richard Moore, Gil Dudson, Peter Lupton and Jarrod Sammut missed the defeat.

But Harris confirmed the matter was now at an end and the players would resume training with the Crusaders squad.

"The chapter's closed," confirmed Harris. "I expect them to have some energy and enthusiasm plus a desire to get themselves back into the team."