Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinos: International players set to double up but Ash Handley will miss out

Handley failed a head injury assessment during England's 26-24 loss to Combined Nations All Stars, ruling him out of Sunday's game and Thursday's visit of Leigh Centurions.

He was named in Rhinos' initial 21-man squad along with England team mates half-back Luke Gale and prop Mikolaj Oledzki, plus hooker Kruise Leeming and forward Matt Prior who played for All Stars.

Rhinos will be without Liam Sutcliffe, who has played at stand-off in recent matches and forward Zane Tetevano, as a consequence of the club’s recent coronavirus outbreak.

But front-rower Tom Holroyd, who suffered a fractured leg in training three months ago, is in contention for the first time this season and fellow pack man Bodene Thompson could return from after a hip injury.

Forwards Sam Walters and Jarrod O’Connor are on stand-by, along with centre Corey Hall.

Back-rower Cameron Smith (hamstring) is not in the 21, but could be available for next Thursday’s home game against Leigh Centurions.

Salford have included All Stars duo Pauli Pauli and Ken Sio in their squad, but Dan Sarginson and Greg Burke are both suspended following incidents in last week’s win at Huddersfield Giants and Ben Davies, Sebastine Ikahihifo and James Greenwood also drop out.

Players in contention for a call-up are Danny Addy, Morgan Escare, Matty Costello, Ryan Lannon, ex Leeds half-back Tui Lolohea, Sam Luckley, Darcy Lussick, Lee Mossop and Pauli.

Salford Red Devils: from Ackers, Addy, Atkin, Burgess, Costello, Escare, Johnson, Lannon, Livett, Lolohea, Luckley, Lussick, Mossop, Ormondroyd, Patton, Pauli, Roberts, Sio, Taylor, Wells, Williams.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Hurrell, Handley, Gale, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Dwyer, Myler, Holroyd, Vuniyayawa, Thompson, Walters, L Briscoe, Donaldson, O’Connor, Broadbent, Hall, Gannon.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

Kick-off: Sunday, 1pm.

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