Delaney and Hood join Leeds injured list

Leeds’ injury woes have deepened with the news that Brett Delaney and Liam Hood face weeks on the sidelines.

Delaney, 27, has undergone minor surgery on his knee to resolve an ongoing issue and will be out for three weeks, which has also ruled him out of this Friday’s Exiles clash with England.

Hooker Hood will be out for four weeks with an ankle injury, and coach Brian McDermott is also sweating on the fitness of Kylie Leuluai, who has a knee problem, ahead of Monday’s game against Widnes.

Rhinos coach Brian McDermott said: “Brett has been in sensational form for us but it has got to the point that we need to get him in for a clear out to give him the best chance of performing at his best for the remainder of the season. Liam has been performing well at Hunslet but will be out for a month. 

“Kylie has made great progress this week, recovering remarkably well from a bad situation on Friday night. He could be right for the Exiles on Friday but if he is, I doubt he will be able to play on Monday so we will have to wait and see.”

Leeds are already without Carl Ablett, Stevie Ward, Joe Vickery, Danny McGuire and Kallum Watkins for the visit of the Vikings, in the game re-arranged due to the Rhinos’ World Club Challenge commitments back in February.