INTERVIEW | Sam Smeaton captaining from the sidelines

The Dons captain Sam Smeaton spoke this week about his time on the sideline through injury and how he's staying involved around his recovery.

Doncaster RLFC travel to Bradford this Sunday, June 23 and will be without their captain, at least on the field, as they have been for several weeks now.  

Smeaton said, "It's frustrating picking up an injury especially in the early stages when you're waiting around for an operation. For me, once the operation was out of the way it's just about focussing on getting back fit. 

"I've tried my best to keep myself involved, in the early stages with the nature of my injury I wasn't able to travel so that was difficult, but as things progressed after surgery I've been able to get around the lads more and do what I can."

It's been said before that there are a lot of leaders in the Doncaster changing room so plenty of experienced voices able to keep instructions and team morale moving in the right direction in the absence of their named captain.  

Giving an insight into the different phases of being out injured, Smeaton said, "I was pretty irritable in the beginning but you do go through different stages, once I knew I needed an operation I knew there was at least a plan and timescale in place to work with.

"After that it was about recovery so it's easier to focus on what needs to be done rather than being frustrated about not being able to help the lads out on the pitch.

"I'm currently doing everything I can to get back fit and ready and hopefully it won't be too much longer."