Rob Burrow’s preseason hampered by injury

Correspondent

Leeds Rhinos veteran Rob Burrow has admitted that he has been struggling with preseason training, thanks to an injury he suffered last season.

The half-back or hooker is battling a groin injury, which worsened when he was forced to take time with a broken collar bone during the latter part of last season.

“I was injured towards the end of last season,” the 32-year-old told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“I never really got over that, but I had to wait until the off-season to have therapy, which is a series of injections.

“I have had it before and it’s why I missed three games after the Challenge Cup final. I came off the bench in our final game and I was really struggling.

“Going out of the play-offs wasn’t a blessing in disguise, but I was able to get my therapy done earlier.

“I was managing it, but if I am honest I wasn’t 100 per cent and I was probably only 60 per cent in the last game. But I am confident I’ll be all right for the start of next year.

“That’s the good thing about us going out (of the play-offs) early.”

The injury apparently causes ‘stabbing’ pains, and was responsible for Burrow leaving the field in the Challenge Cup final win over Castleford.

He is confident that he will be ready for the start of the new season, however, after beginning preseason a month early in November.

He expects to be able to begin running in January.