Good news for Leeds Rhinos as Harry Newman confirms he is 'ahead of schedule' in recovery from horror injury

Giving Leeds Rhinos a significant boost, Betfred Super League young player of the year Harry Newman has confirmed his recovery is ahead of schedule and he hopes to be in full training when the season begins in March.
Harry Newman, left, working in Rhinos' gym this week, alongside assistant-coach Chev Walker and Callum McLelland, who is also recovering from surgery. Picture by Phil Daly.Harry Newman, left, working in Rhinos' gym this week, alongside assistant-coach Chev Walker and Callum McLelland, who is also recovering from surgery. Picture by Phil Daly.
Harry Newman, left, working in Rhinos' gym this week, alongside assistant-coach Chev Walker and Callum McLelland, who is also recovering from surgery. Picture by Phil Daly.

The centre played in Rhinos’ first 12 games of 2020, but his campaign was cruelly cut short when he suffered a double break of his right leg during a league win over Hull KR at Warrington on September 14.

That ultimately cost him a place in Rhinos’ Coral Challenge Cup winning side the following month, though - after scoring against Hull KR in the quarter-final - he did receive a gold medal following the game.

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He was also named Super League’s best young player in November, having been named in new England boss Shaun Wane’s performance squad earlier in the season.

Harry Newman is comforted by teammate Rhyse Martin as he receives treatment on the pitch last September. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Harry Newman is comforted by teammate Rhyse Martin as he receives treatment on the pitch last September. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Harry Newman is comforted by teammate Rhyse Martin as he receives treatment on the pitch last September. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Newman had surgery to repair his fractured tibia and fibula last autumn and was in the rehab’ group when Rhinos began pre-season training at their Kirkstall base on Monday.

“I am feeling really good now,” the 20-year-old said.

“It is 14 weeks since my operation and I have been in the whole time, doing rehab’ and gym.

“I am seeing the specialist every six weeks and the bone is healing a few weeks ahead of where it should have been.

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“Rehab’ is going really well and I am getting all my strength back now.”

Newman hopes to step up his recovery later this month.

He said: “The plan is I go see the specialist again on January 18 and hopefully, if there’s enough healing, I can start running on the AlterG [anti-gravity treadmill] and doing more explosive movement.

“The plan is to start running on the grass in February, then back into training by March.”

Newman is happy with the way he is progressing, but vowed not to rush. He insisted: “I am just taking it day by day, making sure I am ticking the right boxes and doing all my rehab’.”

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He admitted: “When I first did it, it was pretty tough to get my head around.

“But I just took it as another opportunity to better myself and come back a better player than I was.

“I have kept up with all my skill, I have got a lot stronger in my body and my left leg is stronger than it was.

“I am just getting my right leg back up to where it needs to be now.”

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Not being able to play at Wembley was a setback, but Newman insisted the experience has made him more hungry to feature in big games and win silverware in the future.

“It was tough to watch that game, knowing I would probably have played in it,” he reflected.

“But after the game I managed to get in the changing rooms and Rich [Agar, Rhinos’ coach] gave me a medal.

“It was nice to experience what it is like to win a trophy like that, but I definitely want to go on and win something next season.”

The player of the year accolade was also a boost.

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He said: “I was over the moon with that, especially having missed the last 10 games of the season.

“I think I was in pretty good form before that, so it’s about getting back to that this year - and I am really looking forward to it.”

Newman’s injury led to a reshuffle in the outside-backs which saw Konrad Hurrell switch sides to the left-centre and Liam Sutcliffe take over on the right.

If Hurrell, Sutcliffe and Newman are all fit next year, Agar will have a welcome selection headache.

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“I am just focusing on myself at the minute and making sure I get back fit,” Newman pledged.

“Then I will give myself every chance when I am back in training.”

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