In a blow for Leeds Rhinos, Rohan Smith has ruled out two players in the same key position for Round One.
This is James McDonnell and Morgan Gannon. It was believed initially that Gannon had suffered a head injury but Smith said it was more of a shoulder injury.
Now it has been revealed that it was both. “He had both, a head knock and a stinger,” Smith said to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
“He is off to see the consultant next week and we’ll take it from there, but he has had no symptoms with either [injury]. He is fine, but we’ll take advice from the expert.
“We will take a cautious approach and be guided by the experts, but he won’t play next week.”
Leeds Rhinos injury round-up
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 14/07/2023 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 19 – Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR – Headingley Stadium, Leeds, England – Leeds’s James Bentley dejected after his side loses to Hull KR in Golden Point.
Speaking after their friendly win over Hull KR, Rohan Smith provided an injury round up for Round One against Salford Red Devils:
“Fuss trained really well on Thursday and that was kind of a bit of a fitness test for round one. We were arm and arm early in the week about whether we just trained hard this week. But he trained well on Thursday but pulled up a little bit sore. We expect him to be right for round one so we didn’t push it today. But he’s in good spirits and he’ll be ready for round one.
“Mickael Goudemand had a very mild pec strain, so he’s disappointed he didn’t get to play today.
“Sam Lisone is says he’s strapping his thumb up to play round one just then. So Dr Goudemand said he’ll be fine. Dr Holroyd and Dr Bentley, they’re all trying to rule themselves in at this point, but we’ll see how we go.”
Leeds should have new signing Paul Momirovski to debut whilst Salford will miss former Rhino King Vuniyayawa through suspension unless he gets it overturned at appeal next week.
