Rugby League: No quick fix for Leeds Rhinos' long-term injured admits coach McDermott

THERE IS no sign of Leeds Rhinos' fitness crisis easing for next Thursday's game at Wigan Warriors after 12 senior players missed the loss to Catalans Dragons two days ago.
Leeds' coach Brian McDermott. PIC: SWpix.comLeeds' coach Brian McDermott. PIC: SWpix.com
Leeds' coach Brian McDermott. PIC: SWpix.com

Ryan Hall will be available after England duty, but boss Brian McDermott fears most of the injured players will remain on the casualty list. He said: “Brad Singleton (broken hand) has his pot off on Monday. Carl Ablett (calf) and Jimmy Keinhorst (hamstring) are still two or three weeks off.

“Stevie Ward and Richie Myler will be assessed with their concussion, but I don’t think it’s any easy return to play. The others are relatively long term.”

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Prop Anthony Mullally suffered concussion against Catalans, but could be available for next Thursday if he passes a head test.

Ryan Hall will be back from England duty for Rhinos' next game. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.comRyan Hall will be back from England duty for Rhinos' next game. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Ryan Hall will be back from England duty for Rhinos' next game. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

McDermott said: “We’ve got a while before we play so he should be okay.”

Meanwhile, two Rhinos youngsters have been named in England Youth’s 22-strong squad to take on France in a Test series next month, alongside two Castleford Tigers players and one from Wakefield Trinity. Leeds Rhinos’ representatives are East Leeds player Liam Tindall, who attends Temple Moor School and Jacob Gannon from the Siddal club in Halifax.

Castleford Tigers’ duo are Nathan Carter (Kippax Welfare, Kings High School) and Brad Graham (Oulton Raiders, Kettlethorpe High School).

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Wakefield Trinity’s representative Corey Hall is from the Sheffield Hawks community club.

Others in the squad include Bradford Bulls’ Hunslet Warriors products Daniel Edwards (Sherburn High School) and Harry Shackleton (Rodillian Academy), David Gibbons (Huddersfield Giants, East Leeds, Corpus Christi College) and Ellis Longstaff (Wigan Warriors, Kippax Welfare, Crofton Academy).