The Tigers half-back damaged an elbow in the early stages of last weekend's Powergen Challenge Cup defeat at Halifax.
Handforth, who is expected to be back for Castleford's trip to Oldham a week on Sunday, was the only casualty from the 23-14 cup reverse but head coach David Woods has not ruled out a crop of changes.
Eighteen-year-old prop Craig Huby (pictured left) is drafted into the 17 after missing the last five matches following knee surgery and half-back Andy Kain will be given until later today to prove his fitness.
Kain missed the trip to the Shay with a neck/back injury sustained at Doncaster on Easter Monday and was a late withdrawal from the squad to face Halifax.
Also back in contention are Academy teenagers Shaun Lunt and Leigh Cooke. Lunt sat out Sunday's tie with a groin strain, Cooke has missed the last two games after being injured in the early stages of Castleford's Good Friday derby against Featherstone at the Jungle.
Said boss Woods: "Huby's right for this week - I'm not sure whether he'll start or come off the bench but he's in the squad. Shaun Lunt's back in contention but Handforth is out, although it should only keep him out for just a week.
"We're hoping Andy Kain has a chance. We thought he'd be right but he pulled up a bit short after a run earlier this week. We'll check on him again on Thursday."
Woods said Kain and prop Frank Watene, who is still receiving treatment on an ankle injury, were sorely missed last Sunday.
"I thought we missed Andy and Frank (Watene) enormously on Sunday, Frank for his go-forward and Andy because he's been our best over the past two weeks."
Castleford have asked the RFL to view a video of two alleged high tackles at Doncaster (on Kain and Jon Hepworth) and two incidents from last Sunday, a claim of eye-gouging and a high tackle on Tommy Haughey. The club is still awaiting a response, said Woods.