Leeds Rhinos ace Jack Walker aiming to return against Salford Red Devils in Super League this week

Walker has not played since suffering a fractured foot in Leeds’ big win over Warrington Wolves on February 28.

The 21-year-old is back in full training and has his sights set on this weekend's ‘home’ meeting with Salford Red Devils at HJ Stadium in Warrington.

Half-back Richie Myler – who could also be available after injury – and winger Ash Handley have filled in at full-back during Walker’s four games on the sidelines, either side of the coronavirus shutdown.

But his comeback would be a major boost for Rhinos following successive defeats.

“Things are looking really good,” said Walker who was a member of Leeds’ 2017 Grand Final winning team.

“I had a steroid injection in my foot which has eased a lot of things and it feels miles better than it did a few weeks ago.”

Walker has been training with non-playing members of Rhinos’ squad and will come into the reckoning if he gets through this week unscathed.

Coach Richard Agar will name an initial 21-man squad on Thursday and Walker insisted the signs so far are positive.

He reported: “I’ve basically been doing everything – contact, change of direction, everything they were doing, I was doing.

“I am buzzing, I have got [this week] to finish my re-hab and then I’m sweet, I am pretty much back.

“That [Saturday’s match] is what we are aiming for; if all goes well with my running and re-hab I should be playing in that game.”

The break because of Covid-19, from March to the start of this month, limited the number of games Walker has missed but, even so, it has been a long spell on the sidelines.

“It has been a while,” he reflected.

“I am excited to get back, with the new rules and the game speeded up, I am looking forward to it.”

Walker was among Rhinos’ form players before his injury, scoring three tries in four games.

He reckons the six-again law and handovers rather than scrums – both of which have been introduced since his last game – will suit his style of play.

He added: “I assume so.

“I like sniffing around the ruck and getting off-loads and with Cuthbo [Adam Cuthbertson] in the middle and the fast rucks, I think it will suit me well.”

The speedier, non-stop nature of the post-Covid sport means players will have to be fully fit before they return from injury. And Walker stressed: “That’s the main thing. Just making sure I am 100 per cent before coming back and making sure my fitness is up there as well.

“I have been doing well on my diet and I’ve got myself back up to the weight I want to be at.

“I’d say I’ve done roughly three weeks of running now so my fitness is not far off.”

Rhinos’ five-match winning run ended when they were crushed 48-0 by St Helens and that was followed by a 28-10 loss to Wigan Warriors.

This weekend will see them face an in-form Salford side who hammered Hull 54-18 on August 9.

They have not played since then because of positive Covid-19 tests among Hull players and staff. It is a major challenge for Rhinos, but Walker insisted small improvements can get them back to winning ways.

“There’s a few things to fix up,” conceded Walker who was among the try scorers when Leeds triumphed 22-8 at Salford back in February. “I’ve seen on review we weren’t far off winning the [Wigan] game.

“We had opportunities towards the back end of the game to even go on and win it. And it wasn’t a great performance. Getting beaten isn’t great and obviously getting nilled by Saints isn’t great, but I don’t think we are too far off.”

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins