Leigh Leopards will ‘more than likely’ be without Lachlan Lam and Josh Charnley for Friday night’s game against Hull KR with the pair not likely to be risked after having had stitches just a matter of days ago.
Both Charnley and Lam emerged as injury fears after the win over Bradford Bulls with the pair having what Adrian Lam described as lacerations on their knees and lower legs, presumably from the studs of players’ boots.
Because of the fact that Leigh are on a five-day turnaround, playing Sunday then Friday, Adrian Lam has revealed that the pair likely won’t be risked for the crunch clash against Hull KR.
Speaking to media in his Thursday press conference, the Leigh Leopards boss confirmed: “There’s two big gashes to Lachlan Lam’s knee and (Josh) Charnley’s leg too, like on his lower part of his kneecap.
“Both are potentially going to probably miss the game, more than likely. We’ll see how it pulls up overnight tonight, but a chance of both players not playing.
“They’ve both got around 10 stitches in each kneecap and if they land on it, it’s just going to pop back open so we’ve got to make a decision on whether or not we risk that in a five-day turnaround.”
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Lam did admit that were the game a longer turnaround or if it were a final then both players would play with both men wanting to play, it’s just about weighing up the risk and reward.
“Both players are in a position they want to play, it’s just whether or not it’s the right thing to do. They could potentially get infection and bust back open as both have got, like I said, 10 stitches in each knee.
“The smart thing to do on a five-day turnaround would be just not to risk that so that’s where at this point.”
Lam added: “If it was a final, they’d both be playing, but because of our current situation, so many injuries, it’s a week where on a five-day turnaround, it sort of like makes the decision for us.”
For Charnley in particular, the stitches are ‘right bang in the middle’ of the kneecap meaning the now Super League record try-scorer has been unable to truly run, hence why he’s likely to be left out.
Despite losing that pair, Leigh are set to welcome back their two strike centres with Adrian Lam confirming that Umyla Hanley and Tesi Niu are expected to feature.
He said: “We should probably get Umyla Hanley and Tesi Niu back into that starting 13… Those two are expected to be back in so probably a little bit of a shuffle there.
“We’ll see how that unfolds. I’ll make that decision tomorrow morning before we head off.”
