Leigh Leopards will play their first and final game of pre-season this Friday and head coach Adrian Lam has spoken on the club’s current injury status, as well as his plans for that game.
The Leopards will travel to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to take on Warrington Wolves with Sam Burgess’ side having already played once this pre-season, handily beating local rivals Widnes Vikings.
For Leigh, it’s their first hit out and that’s why Adrian Lam is eager to see as many of his squad as possible with the Leopards boss confirming at Monday’s media day that he intends to utilise most of his side.
“I’m going to play all of my squad, I promised them that from the start and they’ve worked really hard to get an opportunity,” Lam explained, with the presser also published to the club’s YouTube channel.
“These games, I just want to see the identity of us as a club. I want that to be seen by everyone.”
Leigh Leopards star forward ’50-50′ with calf strain
As well as wanting to see his players play the Leigh way, Lam also urged those who are on the fringe to make an impression and show that they’re ready for Super League.
He added: “Secondly, I want to see our fringe players play well to show that they have developed through that off-season and are ready to take a step up into Super League if needed.
“There’s pressure on everyone to play well and certainly an opportunity for those who haven’t played to put their best foot forward.”
In respect to injuries, David Armstrong remains out after last year’s season-ending ruptured ACL, however, there are also three others who either won’t feature or are a doubt due to injury.
Lam confirmed: “I think there are three or four of the 30-man squad that aren’t going to be available. I’ll know more towards the end of the week.
“I think there’s Louis Brogan coming back from a knee operation, Kav Rothwell who has had a bit of nerve damage and we’ve got to check on Robbie Mulhern. He’s a 50/50 at the moment with a small strain on the calf.”
The big one of those is Robbie Mulhern with the prop an integral part of the Leigh pack and with Friday only being a pre-season game, it may be that Leigh rest him, particularly given how tough the Leopards’ start to Super League is.
They’ll face Leeds Rhinos on opening night at home before taking on St Helens and Wigan Warriors on the road.
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