THE VIKINGS uphill battle for a Top 8 Super League spot became even tougher this week when it was revealed playmaker-in-chief Kevin Brown is likely to spend at least six weeks on the sidelines.

Skipper Brown was once again in inspirational form against St Helens on Sunday despite his side going down to a 36-20 Ladbrokes Challenge Cup defeat at Langtree Park.

Unfortunately, he picked up an ankle ligament injury in the first half of the contest and although he bravely battled through the 80 minutes, the full extent of the damage was later revealed.

While pleased with his side's efforts at Saints, Vikings head coach Denis Betts feels the injury to his captain capped a bad day overall.

He said "There's not much to take from being gallant losers, especially if you pick up injuries.

"We've lost Kev for at least six weeks because he's in a boot for that long.

"So we've come away from the game with nothing out of it - and lost our captain.

"He knew how important the game was. He's been in those sort of situations before and he's tough; he got through it.

"He had a lot of adrenalin flowing through him but when we take the tape off and scan it, we see the damage.

"His contribution is always fantastic for us and he'll be a big loss."

Brown's injury has prompted Betts to recall up-and-coming young half-back Tom Gilmore from his loan spell at Championship side London Broncos and he will go straight into the side to face Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle this Sunday.

Betts has no qualms about Gilmore being up to the task against the Tigers in what is close to being a must-win game for Widnes if they're to avoid a bottom four finish before the split into the Super 8s.

He added "With Kev being out the side, it's an opportunity for Tom Gilmore who's come back from London where he's been playing well.

"He's still very much part of our programme and gets feedback on all of his games with London.

"His opportunity was always likely to come and here it is.

"He could end up playing 12 or 13 games which is a big chunk of our year.

"If he takes his chance, you never know where that could lead.

"There are still plenty of possibilities this season but we've just got to go forward and control what's in front of us.

"We've got four games - two home, two away - and if we hold up our end of the bargain and take some points, there is still a possibility of making the eight.

"The players were deflated after the Saints game. We expended a lot of energy to get nothing.

"It's now about how we handle the build-up to the Cas game."

Australian second row Danny Galea should be back in contention this week after missing the Saints game with a hamstring niggle.

Kiwi forward Hep Cahill came through his comeback game at the weekend with no ill effects.

The Vikings produced one of their best performances of the season in the home fixture against Castleford, downing the Yorkshiremen 46-16 back in April with Patrick Ah Van and Rhys Hanbury each crossing for a brace of touchdowns.

However, Daryl Powell's men have been in fine form in recent weeks, registering wins against Super League's top two sides, Leeds and St Helens.