WIDNES Vikings’ half back curse continues with Tom Gilmore becoming the third pivot they have lost since December.

The number seven, who stepped up into the key role since the sale of Kevin Brown to Warrington and Joe Mellor’s injury in the festive friendly, could be out of action for up to 10 weeks.

Gilmore turned his ankle during the opening Super League game against Huddersfield and has been diagnosed with syndesmosis.

Coach Denis Betts confirmed that the injury will sideline him for between eight and 10 weeks.

He said: “It is the curse of my half backs at the moment.

“We have lost three half backs in the space between pre-season and the start of the year.

“The biggest problem with this situation is, although people on the sidelines say ‘go out and get someone’ , there isn’t anybody to get.

“We are searching constantly for recruits, but trying to find the right quality people to make us better.

“We don’t want to fill the team with people who are not going to make us better.”

In the short term, Betts has three options to partner Chris Bridge in the halves - hookers Lloyd White and Aaron Heremaia, or Danny Craven, who played there in the pre-season trials.

He said: “Aaron was pretty good there when Tom went off and Lloyd White can also play on the edges.

“Danny Craven showed in the pre-season that he has the ability to do that job for us, so it is an opportunity for him to come into the side.”

They will go alongside the experienced stand off Bridge, who slotted in well against Huddersfield.

“I was happy with the way Chris went and he has that bit of guile and unpredictability with the ball that allows him to break open a defence.”

In the injury roll-call Joe Mellor, Chris Dean and Alex Gerrard are due back by the end of March, with Eamon O’Carroll a month later.