Adrian Lam admits Leigh Leopards will likely be without Umyla Hanley on Thursday night when they travel to face Wigan Warriors.
Hanley picked up a shoulder injury in the pre-season loss to Warrington Wolves last month and hasn’t been seen since. As such, he has sat out of the opening couple of rounds of Super League and his absence has been felt with Leigh struggling for consistency so far.
The centre has been named in the last couple of 21-man squads and there had been some hope that he would be fit enough to feature against the Cherry and Whites at the Brick Community Stadium, but Lam admits that Hanley probably won’t be involved.
“It’s just ongoing, week to week really,” Lam said on his star centre, who has recently signed a new deal with the club. “We think he’s close and then it flares up again.
“He’s in consideration and we’ll give hum up until kick off there, but probably not at this point. If t’s not 100 per cent right or close to that, we won’t pick him in that 17.
“He’s an important part of our team and we’ve missed him over the first couple of games but we’ll survive without him and power on.”
The head coach has confirmed that Frankie Halton will be fit enough to return after missing last week’s loss to St Helens and Isaac Liu will be ready to start at loose-forward for the first time in this year’s Super League competition.
However, the Leopards have been dealt a setback when it comes to the fitness of Aaron Pene, who drops out of the 21-man squad this week.
“Frankie will be alright,” Lam confirmed. “I think Isaac Liu will come back into that starting XIII.
“Aaron isn’t in the 21 this week. There’s been some issues there with a minor injury that’s complicated again and that’s going to be delayed a bit.”
Where Hull KR rank among Super League’s greats, referee controversy and Las Vegas predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
