Leeds Rhinos host St Helens in the Super League play-offs on Saturday night and there’s some key early team news.
That news is that Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor has declared himself fit, speaking whilst attending the Super League Dream Team launch in Manchester today (Monday).
Going on stage alongside fellow Dream Team half Mikey Lewis, Connor was asked about his fitness and availability for Saturday’s knock-out match and his answer was conclusive.
“100% and ready to go,” was Connor’s response when asked how the ‘body’ was feeling, and he might not be the only key Leeds Rhinos man making a return.
Leeds will need their strongest side as recent form against St Helens hasn’t been good. The Red Vee have won three of the four meetings this season, although they’ve actually lost three of their last four games to end the year.
Ahead of any team news or coach comments, here’s an early look at Leeds Rhinos and St Helens’ injury doubts and concerns.
Leeds Rhinos team news
Connor would have been a doubt on this list but his statement at the Dream Team launch was fairly conclusive, however, a few doubts still remain.
Ryan Hall (rib), Lachie Miller (calf) and Andy Ackers (back) all dropped out last week and it’s expected that two of those will return, with Brad Arthur stating last week in his presser: “At this stage, Hally, Lachie and Jake will definitely be in.”
It’s unclear how they’ve progressed since those comments on Thursday or if Ackers’ back spasms will rule him out again. Similarly, Ash Handley is one the club are waiting on but Arthur explained last week they were “confident” of his return.
All four can be described as doubts, whilst those who will definitely miss out include Cam Smith (back), Maika Sivo (ACL), Ethan Clark-Wood (shoulder) and likely Alfie Edgell (foot)
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St Helens team news
St Helens rested plenty of players last week but they took a gamble on winger Lewis Murphy and it backfired. The speedster was brought back into the squad but injured his quad in a recurrence of his previous injury.
He’s likely to miss the game through that whilst fellow winger Kyle Feldt had back spasms with Paul Wellens unsure on the severity when speaking post-match.
Leon Cowen, who was unlikely to feature in the play-offs anyway, failed a HIA which makes him unavailable.
Others who are doubts but likely to miss out include Owen Dagnall (hamstring) and Jake Wingfield (ankle) with both men in a race to make the play-offs which are now just days away.
