Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar 'disappointed' by Liam Sutcliffe's transfer request

Leeds-born Sutcliffe, who is under contract until the end of next season, has been linked with Castleford Tigers after asking this week to be placed on the transfer list.

The 25-year-old utility-player has scored 53 tries, 257 goals and one drop goal for Leeds in 171 games since his debut in 2013 and is their second-longest-serving player.

Agar said: “[I am] disappointed from the fact we view Liam as a really valued member of our squad. I think he is a good player so from a purely selfish point of view we don’t want him to leave.

“However, this isn’t the first time these conversations have reared their head. They reared their head in the off-season; Liam started in our team - he started the first two games - but obviously it has reared its head again so I think it is probably the time both parties need to work through it if that’s how he’s feeling.”

Sutcliffe, who is a product of Leeds’ academy, suffered a knee injury in Rhinos’ round two win over Hull KR in February and made his comeback on dual-registration for Featherstone Rovers when they beat Swinton Lions the following month.

He had surgery during the Covid-19 shutdown and is now back in training, though not expected to be fit for Rhinos’ Betfred Super League return against Huddersfield Giants in 15 days’ time.

He remains part of the squad and available for selection when fit and Agar added: “I know he will be fully committed to us while he’s here, but at the same time if he doesn’t view his long-term future here and he needs a change it is probably in both parties’ interest to try and work a solution to it.

“While he is here there’s truly no dramas, but at the same time we’ll put him on the transfer list and see what comes in. He is under contract, still, for another 18 months and if circumstances were to change that’d be great, we’d be more than happy to keep him.

“But at the same time if that’s what he wants and how he’s feeling, it’s probably in all our best interests to help facilitate it.”

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