Scruton hasn't played since being sent-off for a spear tackle on Keiron Cunningham in Leeds' defeat by St Helens a month ago, but is expected to be back in the side for tonight's crucial engage Super League four-pointer at Les Catalans Dragons.

The 23-year-old forward, said he blames himself for the loss to Saints and now he is determined to make amends.

He said: "It's one thing being injured, it is another being suspended.

"It has been a tough three weeks for me, watching the boys and feeling that I should be helping out in some way.

"But it's over now and I'm back into it, so hopefully I'll be part of the team this week.

"I feel I owe them, big time. I put losing to Saints down to me. Having 12 people on the pitch makes it hard.

"Having three weeks off has freshened me up a bit and I've been training harder than I have all season, so hopefully I can get back in the team and pay them back. I'm raring to go now."

Catalans will go into tonight's clash – which is expected to attract a sell-out crowd at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan – knowing a win would see them leap-frog Rhinos into second spot behind leaders St Helens and make them favourites for an all-important top-two finish.

"It is tough down there, it's a tough place to play," said Scruton. "It's a pretty intimidating atmosphere, they have got a big set of forwards and they are a good team.

"It will be a tough one, but we need to win every game now. That's how it is."

But Scruton doesn't see tonight's game as a top-two decider.

He said: "There's a long way to go in the season.

"We've got some tough games coming up. We've got to go away to Wigan and away to Warrington, so nothing's guaranteed.

"We'd be in a strong position to finish in the top-two if we win, but we'll take nothing for granted. If we win every game, then a top-two finish is ours. We just have to look at that now."

The French trip has come just a week before Rhinos take on Saints in a Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final.

"It's not ideal preparation," Scruton admitted. "But you have to try and take the positives out of it. We're playing the third-placed team, so if we can beat them it is good preparation, even if it is a difficult trip."

Meanwhile, Scruton is out of contract at the end of this season and has yet to agree a new deal.

"We are in talks at the moment," he revealed. "Hopefully we'll sort something out soon. I've just got to carry on playing well and see what happens from there."