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Injury Corner: Leeds Rhinos and St Helens players with injury concerns ahead of Super League Grand Final

Well the Super League semi-final play-offs are now over, and, with the Grand Final at Old Trafford next weekend, all eyes will be firmly fixed on Manchester.

The semi-finals kicked off on Friday night when Leeds Rhinos travelled to the DW Stadium to take on the Wigan Warriors in one of the most highly anticipated clashes of the year.

It was all Wigan in the first-half as the Warriors piled on the pressure against their West Yorkshire opponents, but the hosts led just 4-2 at half-time.

And, following the break, it was all Leeds who raced into a 14-4 lead as Jarrod O’Connor stole a four-pointer from dummy-half before James Bentley latched onto an Aidan Sezer kick through.

Then came the flashpoint in the game as John Bateman was sent off for a horror shot on Aidan Sezer who was forced off the field for a head injury assessment.

The halfback did pass that assessment, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will be available for the Grand Final.

The Rhinos scored again through Bentley before Sam Powell grabbed a consolation but the first semi-final belonged to Leeds.

Wind the clock forward to Saturday lunchtime and the stage was set for a cracker at the Totally Wicked Stadium as Salford Red Devils travelled to St Helens.

Saints, like Wigan the night before, had all the pressure in the first-half to lead 13-6 at the break. Unlike the Warriors, the reigning champions managed to halt a resurgent Salford in the second-half to run out 19-12 winners.

But, which of the four Super League sides had injury problems from the weekend?

Wigan Warriors vs Leeds Rhinos

Liam Byrne (Wigan Warriors) – scapula
Bevan French (Wigan Warriors) – foot
Aidan Sezer (Leeds Rhinos) – head

St Helens vs Salford Red Devils

Matty Lees (St Helens) – leg
Sione Mata’utia (St Helens) – foot
Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils) – head
Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils) – head

The timeframe of both Byrne and French are unknown yet, but Sezer will miss this week’s Grand Final with the concussion protocol despite being ‘fine’ in his own words.

Likewise, Andy Ackers and Ken Sio are expected to be good in the next week after heavy head knocks during their loss to Saints.

Meanwhile, Matty Lees limped off for Saints near the end of that game whilst Sione Mata’utia was seen in a moon boot after the final whistle.

That being said, Saints head coach Kristian Woolf will be hoping to have both back for the clash at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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