Leeds Rhinos react to sickness bug by re-signing former academy hooker Harvey Whiteley
Whiteley, a hooker, works for Rhinos’ foundation and has returned to Leeds as a reserve-team player. The 21-year-old came through Rhinos’ academy and made one Super League appearance in a defeat at Wigan Warriors three years ago.
Whiteley left Rhinos at the end of 2018 to join Betfred Championship side Dewsbury Rams on a one-year deal. He made three appearances last season, as well as playing six times for League One outfit Coventry.
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Hide AdHe is in line to start for Rhinos at Featherstone in place of Corey Johnson who is suffering from a sickness bug which has swept through the Rhinos camp.
Rhinos’ three other part-time reserve-grade players, full-back Liam Whitton, stand-off Harvey Spence and loose-forward Loui McConnell, will also feature in Friday’s side which will be largely made up of young first-team squad members, plus some academy players.
Forwards Tyler Dupree, Jarrod O’Connor and Sam Walters are set to play against Rovers after featuring for them on dual-registration in last Sunday’s narrow defeat at Hull KR.
Rhinos have two games this weekend with an academy side visiting League One promotion hopefuls Newcastle on Sunday.