
Leigh Leopards have been dealt a huge blow with David Armstrong expected to miss the remainder of the season through injury.
Armstrong picked up a knee injury in the loss to Leeds Rhinos last week and was always likely to miss this week’s game against their local neighbours Wigan Warriors at Leigh Sports Village. He was optimistically named in the 21-man squad on Wednesday with Adrian Lam explaining on Thursday that the club hadn’t received his scan results back yet, meaning he couldn’t be certain whether he would be fit to play.
However, those scan results have now come back and they have confirmed the worst for the Leopards, with Armstrong set to miss the remaining 11 games of the Super League season.
“It’s massive for the club and for Davey,” head coach Lam told Sky Sports, who claim Armstrong has been ruled out for nine months. “He’s been very influential for us but also had a lot of niggling injuries leading up to this.
“It’s sad news but that presents opportunities for everyone else and we’ve got to move on quickly. It gives Bailey Hodgson an opportunity to do his thing and he’s been awesome for us too.”
Huge blow confirmed for Leigh Leopards
Leigh are well in the hunt for a spot in the play-offs and have the opportunity move up to third this evening with a win over Wigan. But the loss of Armstrong comes as a huge blow and the Australian will be missed through the run in.
Armstrong has been blighted by issues this season with Lam admitting in his pre-match press conference that the full-back had been playing injured. He’ll have the chance to get himself right for the start of next season now, though.
The full-back has made made 15 appearances for the Leopards since joining in the off-season from Newcastle Knights. In that time he has scored eight tries and has been one of the club’s most impressive performers on the field.
However, Lam has been consistent in his belief that Armstrong hasn’t shown his best in a Leopards shirt yet. Bailey Hodgson starts in his place this evening.
The Leopards are also without Darnell McIntosh and Robbie Mulhern this evening with the pair being ruled out for four and six weeks respectively.
