Former New South Wales Blues skipper Paul Gallen has defended Wests Tigers amid calls for the club to play English import John Bateman despite reports of a lack of fitness and an injury as he continues to train with the struggling club.

Bateman arrived weeks ago but is yet to be named by the Wests Tigers who are now 0-2.

Sections of the media have demanded Wests Tigers be more forthcoming regarding Bateman’s health.

“I don’t really care why Bateman isn’t playing,” Gallen wrote for the Wide World of Sports website.

“If he’s got an ankle injury, well that’s life. If they’re putting him through a bit of a pre-season to get his fitness to where it needs to be, that’s fine as well.

“The hard thing for [Wests] Tigers fans is not being totally sure which one to believe.”

Wests Tigers play Canterbury at Belmore on Sunday.