Adrian Lam confirms major updates at Leigh Leopards

Leigh Leopards come out of the mid-season break knowing that they will have to win potentially nine of their thirteen remaining games to make the playoffs, however, Adrian Lam has revealed the club are set to be boosted by three returning star players.

That will certainly aid their efforts to kick on and make the playoffs once again after their incredible 2023 season. It had appeared that the Leopards suffered a hangover from their 2023 success with just one win in their opening seven, but they’re now just seven points shy of sixth place.

Defeat to Leeds Rhinos as they headed into the international break was a huge dent and they don’t have an easy return game, facing Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium on Friday night. Matt Peet’s side are unbeaten at home this year, albeit they’ve only played four Super League games there.

Leigh Leopards will have three of their talismanic players back though with captain John Asiata, forward Robbie Mulhern and full-back Gaz O’Brien all expected to return. Lam also revealed that another player has returned from a HIA thanks to the extended break.

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Leigh Leopards ready to attack the second half of the season at full strength

Lam spoke to the media today in a presser uploaded to Leigh Leopards’ YouTube channel where he confirmed that the side was set to be boosted by three returnees.

“We’ve got a few faces back in consideration for this weekend so that’s pretty exciting,” the Papua New Guinean explained.

“I know it will take a few weeks for players to come back to find a bit of form and that, so I’m aware of that as well, but the squad looks probably the healthiest it’s been all season.

“I think in there we’ll be including John Asiata, Robbie Mulhern and Gaz O’Brien, they’re the main ones at the moment that will be added to that squad.”

He did accept that match fitness might be lacking but confirmed that the international break had also allowed for prop Tom Amone to go through his ‘return to play’ protocol after failing a HIA against Leeds Rhinos.

The Leigh Leopards boss stated: “I don’t think they’re quite where they need to be for match fitness as half the season’s gone and they haven’t played, and you need to play games to get to your fitness and load where you need it to be.

“It’s been very positive for us because we’ve had a few boys who have had HIAs as well, which makes sure that they got through that process. Both Gaz O’Brien and Tom Amone got through those and will be ready.”

Asked if this was the fittest and most complete squad that he’d had available for selection throughout the season so far, Lam responded: “I think so. Pretty much the only other ones I guess are Ollie Holmes that’s not quite ready and Ben McNamara that’s still got a niggle.

“The key players are obviously our forward pack with John Asiata and Robbie Mulhern. We’ll give John up till kick-off to be right and that decision will be made right at the last minute but Gaz O’Brien and Robbie Mulhern will definitely be playing.”

A win would be momentous for Leigh Leopards and would allow St Helens an opportunity to go top with a victory over Castleford.