Leeds Rhinos: Team-mates let down by Singleton says McDermott

Suspended Leeds Rhinos forward Brad Singleton. PIC: Bruce Rollinson

Singleton was placed on report by referee James Child in the early stages of Friday’s Super League game against Catalans Dragons for his late tackle that left Greg Bird needing seven stitches in a wound at the back of his head.

The prop was charged with a grade E offence by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel and on Tuesday given a record ban for a Rhinos player at a disciplinary hearing in Leeds.

“He pleaded guilty as he knew the extent of his careless tackle and that type of incident has no place in the modern game,” said McDermott.

Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott.

“Brad has been a standout for us so far this year but last Friday he let his team-mates down.

“We will now put Brad into a mini pre-season so he can be in good shape on his return should he get picked in the team after his suspension.”

Child’s decision to only put Singleton on report incensed Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous, whose side went on to lose the match 46-10.

Singleton was also fined £300 and will begin his ban when Leeds host Wakefield Trinity on Friday.

Fit-again Leeds Rhinos forward Brett Ferres.

Meanwhile, Rhinos have been boosted by the news that both Brett Ferres and Mitch Garbutt have been included in the 19-man squad to face Wakefield Trinity at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow.

Ferres has not featured so far this season after suffering a groin injury while Garbutt has missed the last two games with a pectoral injury.

Leeds are still without Stevie Ward, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Keith Galloway through injury while Cameron Smith is unavailable after suffering concussion in his comeback game last Friday against Catalans Dragons Under-19s.

Jack Ormondroyd is the latest Rhinos player to join the casualty list after suffering a knee injury playing on dual registration with Featherstone Rovers last Sunday while Singleton will begin his six-game suspension tomorrow.

Leeds have recalled young forward Mikolaj Oledzki as cover into the squad to face Wakefield this week with Bradford in Ladbrokes Challenge Cup action against Featherstone. The Gdansk-born youngster is yet to make his first-team debut for Leeds.