Leeds Rhinos delivered bad news ahead of Warrington Wolves

Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos
have both announced their squads for the Magic Weekend fixture between the sides on Saturday.

The Wolves are trying to keep the pressure on the top of the table and Leeds are keeping pace with the top six.

Here is the latest squad news provided by the clubs.

Leeds Rhinos squad news

Leeds Rhinos have revealed why one of their most influential players will be missing when they face Warrington Wolves at Magic Weekend on Saturday.

Stand-off Brodie Croft’s name was missing when coach Brad Arthur revealed his initial 21-man squad today (Thursday). The former Man of Steel has travelled home to Australia on compassionate grounds to attend his grandfather’s funeral and is due back in Leeds next week.

He is replaced by captain Cameron Smith, who is available after a one-match ban, in the only change to the squad named before last week’s 30-4 win over Wigan Warriors.

Rhinos could be boosted by winger Ash Handley’s return from the hand injury which kept him out of that game. It was feared he could miss the rest of this season, but the England man is still waiting for surgery and has told Arthur he is willing to play through the pain barrier.

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad: Lachie Miller, David Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Paul Momirovski, Ash Handley, Matt Frawley, Andy Ackers, James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O’Connor, Sam Lisone, James McDonnell, Justin Sangare, Mickael Goudemand, Jack Sinfield, James Donaldson, Corey Johnson, Alfie Edgell, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Ben Littlewood.

Warrington Wolves squad news

In contrast to Rhinos, Warrington will recall their number six after George Williams was rested for last week’s win at London Broncos, though he was named in the initial squad.

Matty Nicholson is in a similar situation and Josh Thewlis and Luke Yates return to the 21.

Max Wood drops out from last week’s side and Zac Bardsley-Rowe and Tom Whitehead make way in the long squad, having not featured in the 17 at London.

Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Matt Dufty, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Zane Musgrove, Matty Nicholson, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Rodrick Tai, Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, George Williams, Luke Yates.