On-the-mend winger Tom Briscoe “way ahead of schedule” confirms Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar

Tom Briscoe has responded really well to treatment and rehab' following surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury and could be back in action as early as March. PIC: Isabel Pearce/SWpix.com

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Briscoe suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Leeds’ win at Huddersfield Giants on August 2, but Agar revealed: “He is flying, he is way ahead of schedule.”

Agar said: “That is a real testament to how he has attacked his re-hab’ and the medical care he has been getting. It is terrific really; there is a chance of getting him back within the first month of the competition. It’s early days to predict that but, so far, he is well on track. He is back jogging, which is amazing at this particular time.”

Leeds Rhinos head coach, Richard Agar. PIC: Simon Hulme/JPIMedia

Tom’s brother Luke Briscoe, who replaced him on the right-wing for the final five games of last season, is now recovering from a “minor groin problem”.

After not playing in 2019 owing to a knee injury, prop Dom Crosby remains on the casualty list, but could get the all-clear next month and is “making some real progress and headway”, Agar confirmed.

Teenage prop Tom Holroyd is also close to a playing return after ankle and hand injuries.

“He is back up and running again and will be joining us post-new year,” Agar said.

Papua New Guinea Test forwards Rhyse Martin and Wellington Albert began pre-season training yesterday and Agar added: “We have got some good numbers on deck and we are moving along quite nicely.”