SITALEKI Akauola will definitely miss the Challenge Cup Final after an appeal over his one-match penalty notice was dismissed.

Steve Price confirmed earlier today that The Wire would be appealing the Grade A dangerous contact charge handed down by the RFL's Match Review Panel yesterday.

Akauola pleaded guilty to the offence but disputed that the grading was too severe.

However, the independent operational rules tribunal ruled the grading was fair and upheld the suspension, meaning the Tongan prop will now miss Saturday's clash with Catalans Dragons at Wembley Stadium.

Akauola will also pay a £500 fine.

READ: Akauola set to miss Challenge Cup Final

The citing stems from a 75th-minute incident involving Castleford prop Mitch Clark during Friday's 28-18 defeat to the Tigers.

Price also confirmed some early team news for Saturday's game in that Josh Charnley, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Ben Westwood will return to the Wire team having been rested last week.

However, one man who will miss the game is utility back Mitch Brown, who was stretchered off on Friday with a serious-looking knee injury.

Price confirmed the 30-year-old had undergone surgery today but that it is too early to put a timeframe on his return.

However, he did describe the injury as "sickening."

"Mitch went in today for his surgery. He was number three on the list so went in at around 10am," he said.

"It was a sickening injury and I feel for him.

"He’s been doing some really, really good things for us with the opportunities he’s had.

"It’s hard to put a timeframe on his recovery at the moment until we know the outcome of the operation."

 

Mitch Brown is stretchered off at Castleford. Picture by Mike Boden

In terms of other injuries, the full squad – apart from Brown and long-term absentees Ben Currie and Jack Johnson – trained today and will do so again tomorrow.

Among their number was Ryan Atkins, who is recovering from bicep surgery that has kept him out of the team for nine weeks.

However, Price is still refusing to rule out a Wembley return for the veteran centre.

"In terms of injuries, everyone trained today," he said.

"We have another training session tomorrow and we’ll have more of an indication of what way we’ll go then.

"Ryan does have a chance. Whether he comes in or not is something I will decide later in the week.

"It is a credit to Ryan and our performance staff that he’s at this stage in a short timeframe.

"The attitude he’s displayed and the work he’s put in is what we’re about.

"Josh Charnley will be back on his right wing and Benny Murdoch will be coming back into the team.

"Bennie Westwood had a lay-off last week, but now he’s nice and fresh and he’s ready to go."

Price will name his 19-man squad for the Challenge Cup Final on Thursday afternoon.