Leeds Rhinos will begin their competitive season with three of their first-choice 17 on the casualty list.
Rhinos meet amateurs Wests Warriors in the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday with Leeds back at AMT Headingley seven days later when Wakefield Trinity are the visitors in Super League round one.
A trio of players who ended last year in the treatment room remain unavailable and Rhinos picked up one major long-term injury in pre-season, but a key man could be back next week. Here’s the current injury list.
Leeds Rhinos Injury News
Lachie Miller
The full-back began pre-season carrying a hamstring injury and subsequently picked up a calf muscle issue. He is likely to be out of action until around Super League round four, in March.
Maika Sivo
Leeds’ star wing signing suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Ash Handley’s testimonial game against Wigan Warriors on January 26 and won’t play a competitive match this year.
Jarrod O’Connor
The hooker suffered a knee ligament injury against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day, but is in training and hopes to be available for next week.
Ben Littlewood
The 20-year-old forward, who made his debut last term, underwent surgery on a hamstring injury early in pre-season. A return date has not yet been confirmed.
Ned McCormack
The rookie centre hasn’t played since suffering hamstring damage in the act of scoring against Warrington last July and a return date has not been announced.
Max Simpson
The centre is back in training and hopes to return to playing next month, for the first time since an anterior cruciate ligament injury 24 months ago.
Fergus McCormack
Like his elder brother, the teenage half-back has a hamstring injury and no return date has been given.
