'I could've been in serious trouble' - Leeds Rhinos forward Cameron Smith provides update on hamstring injury

Leeds Rhinos' ball-handling forward Cameron Smith is aiming to be back on the field within the next few weeks.
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The 22-year-old has so far missed three games with a hamstring tendon tear, but is now running in training.

The injury happened in a game, but Smith has pledged to be “smarter” about his weekly workload once he gets back up to speed.

“I am not quite sure yet when I’ll be back,” Smith said.

Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture by Tony Johnson.Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Rhinos' Cameron Smith. Picture by Tony Johnson.
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“I had an ultrasound last Thursday and it showed it was knitting together pretty nicely, but I am still a couple of weeks off yet.

“I had my first running session last Friday and did a bit more on Monday.

“It is just about gradually getting some volume in my legs now and then in the next week or so I’ll probably get a plan together regarding when I’m going to be playing or what game I’m aiming to be back for.”

Smith was hurt in the home loss to Wigan Warriors on April 15.

Cameron Smith. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA.Cameron Smith. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA.
Cameron Smith. Picture by Mike Egerton/PA.
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He explained: “I could feel like a little nick in the back of my hammy and I didn’t think too much of it, so I just played on.

“I only realised what it was at half-time, realised then there was a bit of an issue.

“I was pretty lucky really because it is a tendon tear and if I had carried on playing I could have been in serious trouble.”

Hamstring injuries are notoriously troublesome and Smith admitted: “It’s probably one of those things I’ve got to manage for the rest of the year now, especially during the week.

“I think previously I’ve probably been doing too much.

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“This pre-season was probably the hardest I’ve trained - and in the off-season as well, because I trained through it.

“It is about being a bit smarter, managing my workload and almost taking a step back and just making sure I am right to play.”

Smith had a spell on the sidelines last summer after suffering a fractured jaw in training.

He added: “It is part and parcel of the game.

“It is not my first major injury, I know how to deal with these things.

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“It is mainly about keeping positive and trying to keep the lads around me positive as well.

“We have got a pretty big rehab’ group at the minute, but a few of us are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now and hopefully we’ll transition back into playing and get right for the business end of the season.”

The injury came at a bad time for Leeds and Smith, in the middle of a losing run and when a host of other first-choice players were already on the casualty list.

Rhinos got back to winning ways against Wakefield Trinity last week and Smith admitted: “It’s frustrating being in the stand watching.

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“I want to be a part of it and to help get us back to winning ways, but it was a good result for us last weekend, even though it was a scrappy win.

“We have got a couple more bodies back this week so I am sure things will start turning around soon.”

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