Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam has provided some mixed injury news ahead of his side’s Rivals Round clash with Warrington Wolves.
Including the pre-season friendly, this game will be the second of five guaranteed meetings between the two, with their next meeting coming next week in the Challenge Cup.
Leigh go into the game on the back of a golden point win over Toulouse Olympique, as Gareth O’Brien’s boot was all that could separate the two sides.
However, Leigh didn’t manage to come away from that game unscathed, and post-match boss Lam revealed that both Tesi Niu and Jack Hughes would be in doubt this week.
Lam spoke to the media today [Wednesday] to give an update on the pair in doubt, and it’s more negative than positive news at this stage.
He revealed: “It’s a tricky one. There was some light at the end of the tunnel last week but it looks like there’s some doubt this week over Tesi Niu and Jack Hughes from last weekend’s game.
“They’re highly unlikely to play this week as we speak.”
Three further players who won’t feature this week are Edwin Ipape, Keanan Brand and Umyla Hanley, who are all not yet ready to make their return to the side.
Hanley is yet to feature in 2026, whilst Ipape and Brand have missed the last five and two matches respectively.
Speaking on those three, Lam said: “Everyone’s meant to be back in the next two weeks, whether it was this week or next week. Edwin looks like he’s not quite there yet.
“Umyla’s close. Keanan Brand was meant to be available this week but didn’t train today. So yeah, it’s frustrating but there’s not much we can do about it at the moment.
“There is a core group there that’s been ripping in every week. If we need to just go with that and maybe play one or two out of position, we’ll do that too.”
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Leigh Leopards boss hopeful for injury returnees in Warrington Wolves tie
In more positive news, Lam has stated that Owen Trout and Joe Ofahengaue should be fit enough to feature against the Wolves.
The pair had a chance of playing last week, however weren’t risked by Lam given it is still the early part of the season.
Previewing Warrington, the boss spoke on how the returning pair will impact their chances at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“I think they’re [Warrington] playing as good a rugby as anyone in the competition at the moment. So, that excites us, excites me, because there’s a lot of one-on-one challenges there as well within the game where I’m looking forward to.
“We do get Ofahengaue back and Trout back. We’ve been short in the middle there a little bit. They’re both not at 100 per cent, but both back in the system. So, that certainly helps.”
