Leigh Leopards make impressive call on Zak Hardaker

Leigh Leopards are continuing their backing of Zak Hardaker after his drink driving charge.

There had been speculation that Hardaker would leave the club with internet rumours linking him with a move to Wakefield Trinity.

However, after the news broke, Leigh released a statement supporting Hardaker but those have proved to be more than words with Adrian Lam naming Hardaker in his side in Round One and doing so again in Round Three for their clash against St Helens tonight.

Credit to Lam and Leigh for supporting Hardaker through this.

Leigh Leopards without star man as Zak Hardaker features

Having someone like Hardaker available is crucial for the club without key man Edwin Ipape with an MCL injury which led to the Leopards drafting in Warrington Wolves hooker Brad Dwyer on a two-year loan which is set to be a rolling deal allowing Leigh to extend it unless Warrington want to recall the former Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC star.

Speaking on Leigh Leopard’s YouTube channel at his presser, Lam said: “Edwin’s ruptured his MCL ligament down the outside so he’s walking on it now and there’s not much pain there.

“It’s one of those ones where it’s you know you just got to get on with it and rest it for a minimum of four weeks before you can start training again. So he’ll be at between six and eight weeks probably closer to eight weeks.”

Lam then spoke on the attributes that Dwyer would bring to the club in the absence of Ipape, revealing why they felt the need to head to market as opposed to promoting from within.

“We’ve we’ve bought Brad Dwyer in on loan from Warrington for two weeks,” Lam stated, adding on: “I think we could have gone with someone locally here as in within the squad but I felt that it was a really good opportunity for Brad to come over and play his trade with us.”