Josh Charnley has been named in Leigh Leopards’ 21-man squad to take on Wakefield Trinity on Friday night. The two sides met last Friday in Super League but they will go head to head once more this week in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup at Belle Vue.
Leigh are operating with a near fully fit squad and they have been boosted this week by the return of Robbie Mulhern, who has been carrying a calf issue. The prop hasn’t played since February but could be set to make his return to action against the Trin.
Charnley has also been named, with the winger missing much of the season so far with meniscus and hamstring issues and speaking on Tuesday afternoon, Lam confirmed he would be back within the next fortnight. As such, his selection comes a surprise but there are no guarantees that he will be ready to start the contest in West Yorkshire.
It means Darnell McIntosh is the only high profile player missing from Leigh’s squad with the winger set to make a return in the coming weeks, too.
Wakefield boss Daryl Powell has made just one change to his side, with Corey Hall coming into the fold after overcoming a rib injury. Half-back Jake Trueman, who has struggled for traction with fitness since making the move from Hull FC is the man to drop out of the fold.
As such, Powell has a decision to make in the outside backs, with the head coach no doubt reluctant to change things up too much after their 40-14 win over Leigh in round six of Super League.
Wakefield Trinity: Lachlan Walmsley, Cameron Scott, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman, Oliver Russell, Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Ky Rodwell, Josh Griffin, Jay Pitt Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Renouf Atoni, Isaiah Vagana, Oliver Pratt, Mason Lino, Mathieu Cozza, Josh Rourke, Matty Russell, Jack Croft, Harvey Smith, Caius Faatili.
Leigh Leopards: David Armstrong, Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Gareth O’Brien, Lachlan Lam, Owen Trout, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Frankie Halton, Jack Hughes, Isaac Liu, Aaron Pene, Alec Tuitavake, Matt Davis, Brad Dwyer, Keanan Brand, Louis Brogan, Ethan O’Neill, Ben McNamara, Bailey Hodgson.
