Luke Gale is hopeful of being fit for Castleford Tigers crucial semi-final clash with St Helens at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Thursday.

The Man of Steel nominee has been one of the Tigers star performers as they finished top of the regular season, as well as the Super 8s, losing just five league matches all year.

However, the 29-year-old has been sidelined of late after undergoing an operation to remove his appendix, with initial reports suggesting he may miss the rest of the season.

The scrum-half, who is expected to be England's first-choice No 7 at this year's World Cup, has now confirmed that he is close to a return to full fitness and could be available for Thursday's crucial clash with Saints.

"I'm taking each day as it comes," Gale said. "I keep pushing it day by day and it's progressing slowly but surely. I'll have a late fitness test on Wednesday and hopefully get the green light."

Castleford boss Daryl Powell is also hopeful Gale will be fit, as he wants as strong a squad as possible for the match, after resting a number of keyplayers for their 48-16 home defeat to Hull FC last weekend.

"He's had a run today," Powell said. "He hasn't had any contact so we'll wait until Wednesday and make a decision after seeing how he comes through the final session. He'll be close I think."