Leeds Rhinos' Jack Walker now 'fully fit:' Full-back could return against Bradford Bulls this weekend

Leeds Rhinos full-back Jack Walker has finally been given the all-clear after a two-year injury nightmare.
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Walker confirmed he is hoping to play for the first time since November 2020, when Rhinos travel to Bradford Bulls for a pre-season game on Sunday.

The 22-year-old suffered a foot injury in a Betfred Super League win over Warrington Wolves 22 months ago and missed all of last year after a recurrence in pre-season.

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Walker trained fully last week and a scan - exactly a year after his second operation - has now confirmed the damage is completely healed, the 2017 Grand Final winner told the YEP.

Jack Walker is now back in full-training. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.Jack Walker is now back in full-training. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Jack Walker is now back in full-training. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“I am fully fit and raring to go,” Walker said.

“I think we are aiming to get 40 minutes against Bradford.

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“We don’t want to go straight into 80 minutes, but just to put an actual shirt on, I am buzzing.”

Walker’s potential return is a massive boost for Rhinos three weeks out from their Betfred Super League opener against Warrington Wolves on Saturday, February 12, but will give boss Richard Agar a welcome selection headache.

A product of the Oulton Raiders amateur club, Walker burst on to the scene in 2017, scoring a hat-trick on debut in a Challenge Cup tie against Doncaster and featuring in Rhinos’ Old Trafford victory over Castleford Tigers.

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He retains the number one jersey he was awarded in 2019, but Richie Myler has been in outstanding form since taking over at full-back.

“Richie, he has played really well,” Walker said.

“It is good because it makes me work harder and gets the best out of me.

“I see it as a positive, not a negative.”

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