'A great opportunity but glad to be back': Yusuf Aydin on Leeds Rhinos loan and Wakefield Trinity return

Aydin joined Leeds on a two-week loan last month and made his only appearance as a substitute in their 42-6 home win over Wigan Warriors.

He was recalled by Trinity and came off the bench last Friday when they boosted their Betfred Super League survival hopes with a 32-6 win at Castleford Tigers.

The 21-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and has been offered a new deal by Trinity, but is yet to make a decision on his future.

“I’ve said to Rohan [Smith, Rhinos’ coach] and the staff and all the lads ‘thank you for a great opportunity’,” he said.

“I think it helped with my performance [last week], the confidence they gave me.

“Rohan was really good with me, we spoke about going out there against Wigan and just playing my game, not trying to be man of the match.

“I think the way he spoke to me and the other players really helped me.”

Aydin admitted Rhinos’ interest was a confident-booster.

“It was really good, when I first heard I was over the moon,” he said.

“I had a really good time there and it’s good to see how other clubs operate, but I am glad to be back at Wakefield.”

Of his future, Aydin revealed: “I haven’t given it too much thought yet.

“I’ve said to myself as long as I go out and play a good few games, the future will take care of itself and we’ll build off the back of that.”

Aydin is on a high after big wins in his past two games.

“It was a great win with Leeds and then to go to Castleford and play the way we did and get the win, it was unreal,” he said.

The derby win lifted Trinity off the bottom of the table and two points clear of relegation rivals Toulouse Olympique with six games remaining.

Aydin credited the performance at Tigers, who Trinity had not beaten since 2015, to an improved attitude.

He said: “It’s not something we’ve been unable to do, it has probably been down to our willingness and attitude.

“We showed [last week] what we can do when we are on.”

Trinity took champions St Helens into extra-time in their previous match and the front-rower added: “It shows what we are capable of.

“I thought we were the better team against Saints and unlucky to lose, but I thought what we did then set us in good stead for [the game at Castleford].”

Toulouse visit Hull KR this evening and Wakefield are back in action on Sunday at home to Catalans Dragons.

“We are not clear yet,” Aydin warned.

“We know we have still got a lot of hard work coming up.

“There’s no easy games coming up, as there never is in Super League - anyone can beat anyone, but we are going to look forward to the back end of the season now and hopefully give it all we’ve got.”

The game at the Jungle was Aydin’s seventh for Trinity this year and he has also played on loan with York City Knights and Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship.

He admitted it has been a strange year for him.

“I’ve been in and out, but it is good to get some more minutes under my belt,” he said.

“Hopefully I can get a few more.”