Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Centurions: Fit-again Ablett is ahead of schedule and ready for selection
LONG-TERM CASUALTY Carl Ablett insists he is ready to make up for lost time when Leeds Rhinos play host to Leigh Centurions on Friday night at Headingley Carnegie.
Ablett has missed Leeds’ last nine games after suffering a knee injury in the defeat at Warrington Wolves on April 7. He has, however, been named in Rhinos’ initial 19-man squad for Friday night and revealed he is three weeks ahead of schedule.
“It’s just over five weeks since I had the operation and the surgeon said eight weeks would be the timescale,” Ablett said.
“I’ve had previous surgery on that knee, but my re-hab has gone really well and the knee’s feeling pretty good.
“I’ve been building it up and I should be ready to go on Friday.”
Ablett stressed he is not coming back too early.
He said: “We’re not rushing it, there’s certain things you have to pass. The physios have control over it and there’s parameters you have to meet and targets with regards to strength and how you are moving and that sort of thing.
“I’ve met all those.”
Ablett added: “I’ve been doing some running and making sure there’s no reaction. I am looking forward to getting back.”
Keith Galloway (knee) and Danny McGuire (foot) are also set to return on Friday, but Stevie Ward (suspended) drops out from the side beaten at Widnes Vikings on Monday.