Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has offered some injury news with a long-term blow confirmed amid a flurry of possible returnees.
The Leopards have been without plenty of key players for extended periods, so much so that only Lachlan Lam, Isaac Liu and Owen Trout have featured in every Super League game so far in 2025.
Key spine players such as David Armstrong and Gaz O’Brien have missed significant time whilst the outside backs in the injury room has been like a carousel with Tesi Niu and Bailey Hodgson the only players to make more than 10 appearances in those positions.
Leigh fans will therefore be pleased to know that Adrian Lam confirmed all players barring Aaron Pene and Louis Brogan, who has just suffered a long-term injury, will be in contention for next week’s game against Catalans Dragons.
The week off for the Challenge Cup has ensured that the ‘niggling’ injuries, that have persisted for so many players, have had time to settle.
Lam explained: “Obviously, we would rather have been in the final there but having said that, we have had a lot of niggly injuries and still there are some there, but we’re certainly heading in the right direction.
“Even this week, I could see the players buzzing. There’s a bit of a jump in their step this week as opposed to the last couple of weeks when it’s been really difficult, actually.”
David Armstrong touted to kick on as Bailey Hodgson praised
One of the players who will benefit from time off is David Armstrong with the Leigh full-back having played eight of the 13 games so far but failing to complete on several occasions.
The Round 13 win over Huddersfield was one of those occassions but Adrian Lam agreed that the week away has massively helped their NRL recruit, who he’s backed to keep improving.
On that beneficial week, Lam said: “Absolutely. David’s missed a lot of the season and needs to play as often as he can.
“I still think David’s six weeks or eight weeks away from playing his best rugby if that comes this year, given whether the niggles continue but we’re backing him on that.
“Bailey Hodgson’s been putting a lot of pressure on. He’s been playing some great rugby as well so it’s been difficult to find a place for both of them, but we have.”
Hodgson has filled in where needed with appearances all across the backline and Lam explained that the 22-year-old has embraced that role.
“I think for Bailey, we’ve communicated really, really well together,” he confirmed, adding: “He’s a quiet player off the field so, the communication’s important, but he understands his role right at this point of the season. He’s played all but one game so he’s certainly helped the club.”
Leigh Leopards forward set for long-term lay-off
Among the other key players that have missed time is Gaz O’Brien and Lam has confirmed the Leigh Leopards playmaker to be a “50-50 chance” of playing against Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.
The off-contract 33-year-old could still be part of Leigh’s plans next year with Adrian Lam speaking on the club’s ‘hope’ to retain him, however, the veteran has played just three of six games since then on account of failed HIAs and injuries.
Looking forward to Sunday, Lam explained: “We’ll probably add him into the squad and he’s probably a 50-50 chance of playing. So, we’ll give him right up until kick-off and then we’ll consult with the doctor and the specialist to see whether or not it’s the right thing to do.
“He’ll either play this week or next week, either one.”
Another of those who has been a major impact player is Ethan O’Neill and he’s set for a return against Catalans next week, with the injury to Louis Brogan the only negative news.
Adrian Lam stated: “The only other player that’s been injured this week is Louis Brogan, so he’ll be out long term now.
“He’s done his knee. It wasn’t ideal, but we got some scans back yesterday, so we’ll process that and give him the support around that.
“Having said that, like I said, there’s two or three that are available to come back into the picture next week.”
3️⃣ 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 🐆
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝘃𝘀 𝗟𝗘𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦
SUN 15 JUNE | 2:30PM KO | DIY KITCHENS BELLE VUE
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) June 12, 2025
Super League Disciplinary News
Every Super League player’s disciplinary record after latest charges
