Leeds Rhinos injury latest as Ian Blease gives Lachie Miller update

Leeds Rhinos have issued an injury update on one of their most in-form players.

Australian full-back Lachie Miller suffered a calf muscle problem 35 minutes into last Saturday’s 22-18 win against Wakefield Trinity and did not feature in the second half.

Rhinos, who had been leading 22-6 at the interval, switched Man of Steel leader Jake Connor from the halves to full-back and failed to register a point with Miller off the field.

The former Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights man missed Rhinos’ first five games of the season because of hamstring and calf injuries, but has been in impressive form since making his comeback and is sixth in the Man of Steel leaderboard, so a long-term lay-off would be a major blow.

But Rhinos return to action after the Challenge Cup final break Warrington Wolves visit AMT Headingley on Saturday, June 14 – and sporting director Ian Blease revealed Miller has a chance of being fit for that fixture.

Ian Blease gives Leeds Rhinos injury latest

“We’ve had him scanned and it is good news – it is not a long-term one,” Blease confirmed. “We’ll get a couple of weeks to see if we can get him ready for Warrington.

“If there’s any doubt we won’t risk him, but it is good news generally that he is not going to be out long-term. The club is good at getting people back fit and ready and we will see how he is.”

There’s also positive news on two youngsters, including one who hasn’t played for more than two years.

Centre Max Simpson has been sidelined since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in January, 2023 and another 20-year-old, forward Ben Littlewood, underwent surgery on a damaged hamstring in pre-season.

Blease said: “Max will be ready for the next reserve team game [at home to Warrington’s second-string on June 14], all being well.

“Ben Littlewood is also getting there now, another few weeks and he will be back, so it will be good to get these youngsters back on the pitch. That’s an added bonus, half way through the year.”