Leigh Leopards boss confirms 50-50 calls as David Armstrong injury plan revealed

Adrian Lam has outlined how Leigh Leopards plan to deal with David Armstrong’s ongoing injury issues with the full-back still struggling.

Having signed from Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2025 season, Armstrong was tipped for big things and he has delivered… in patches.

The thing stopping him from delivering fully has been his availability with the full-back missing five of the 14 games in Super League so far, whilst also leaving several others early.

A quad injury has persisted and seemed to trouble him again at the weekend against Wakefield, however, he still managed to play a starring role as he scored twice and prevented Max Jowitt from scoring a winner.

Reflecting on that game and his injury issues, head coach Adrian Lam said: “David’s a really important player for us and when he’s at his 100 per cent, he’s as good as any player in the competition.

“He was playing injured last week and he’s played injured nearly every game really with something small or different. Last week, with those niggles, he still scored two tries and saved one at the very last play of the game which shows how important he is to us.”

Leigh Leopards boss confirms David Armstrong 50-50 with Gaz O’Brien verdict given

He also admitted that he and the club will have to find a balance between playing him and allowing him to rest so that he is able to remain fit throughout the season, with the Leopards clearly hopeful of playing in the post-season.

Lam admitted: “I’ve got to find a balance there of when we could potentially rest him for two or three weeks to get over that and build some confidence and get his body back to where it needs to be.

“Whether that starts this week or next week, we’ll wait and see. Bailey Hodgson is also playing some great rugby so we don’t lose too much in that position and it’s something that I need to consider immediately.”

As for this week’s selection, Armstrong was the only player of the 21-man squad who might not play based on fitness with Lam labelling him a 50-50 chance.

A decision that is 50-50 in regards to selection is whether to play Gaz O’Brien or Ben McNamara in the halves but it’s one that will be made on gameday.

“It’s a decision that I’m going to make on the day,” confirmed Lam, adding: “I think I’m really proud of what Ben’s done and where he’s come from. He’s had a couple of really special touches in matches but he still has some work to do in certain areas.

“Gaz, his confidence will probably be down a little bit so it’s a decision that I have to make on game day but both players will more likely be in the 17-man squad.”

🐆 THE 21 SQUAD TO FACE DRAGONS

Ready for Saturday 👊 pic.twitter.com/WUE50sAN8d

— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) June 19, 2025