Leeds Rhinos' Harry Newman set to undergo surgery on broken leg

Newman will be operated on in Warrington, where he has been hospitalised since suffering a fractured tibia and fibula during Rhinos’ win over Hull KR last Thursday.

Leeds coach Richard Agar said surgery will take place “a couple of days later than we anticipated” because of coronavirus’ impact on the NHS.

“They are doing fewer operations per day because of the virus and it’s a case of [waiting for] the first available slots,” Agar said.

“We contemplated moving him and getting it done over here, but that wouldn’t have improved the timescale and there were further risks and potential complications in moving him.

"He is still in Warrington and will have it done over there.”

Agar added: “He is still heavily medicated in pain relief, but at this moment in time they are pretty confident the operation will fix him up and there is no real damage to anything other than his bone.

“There’s no ligament damage, no ankle damage.

“The small bone will heal itself in a pot and the bigger bone will probably need some metal in it, but at this stage the medics are very confident he will hopefully get a quick recovery.”

Agar said the 20-year-old England squad member is in “good spirits”, despite the double fracture.

“We have made sure he has got the absolute best care and everybody has been rallying round," he said.

“I’ve been in touch with him, we’ve had some FaceTime calls and the boys have been really good.

“His mum and dad have got over and taken his phone charger and some bits to eat and plenty of people have reached out to Harry.

"He has been overwhelmed by the support.”

Agar said it is too early to put a timescale on Newman’s return to training or match action.

Jack Walker (fractured foot), Cameron Smith (broken jaw) and Brad Dwyer (coronavirus) could all return when Rhinos face Catalans Dragons at Headingley on Wednesday.

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