Rohan Smith provides the latest on injured Leeds trio
Photo: James Heaton/News Images
Leeds forward James Bentley still has “a bit to do” before returning to the field as he recovers from a knee injury, according to coach Rohan Smith.
The Ireland international has not been named in Smith’s 21-man squad to travel to Warrington in Thursday night’s opening Super League game of the season.
Bentley hasn’t featured in any pre-season friendlies for the Rhinos as he nurses a knee injury, and could be out for a while yet.
“James had a PCL injury to his knee,” Smith said. “Those ones are a little awkward at times from my experience in the game.
“Watching guys recover from them, they don’t tend to go in a straight line as far as recovery goes as much as other injuries so there are a few things there. He has progressed well over the last week or two and has done some good running, but he has got a bit to do yet.”
Rohan Smith on injuries to Harry Newman and Nene Macdonald
Centre pairing Harry Newman and Nene Macdonald are recovering well from long-term injuries.
“They’ve still got a bit to do,” Smith said. “They are training in the right direction and they are on track.
“Sometimes at the back end of these long-term rehabs its hard to be specific of their return. But they are reaching milestones and progressing.
“As far as people want me to say Nene will play centre when he’s back, he’s a winger or a centre, so then we’ll worry about that. This week is very much about who is playing.”
Smith could hand debuts to six new players in Thursday’s trip to Warrington. New recruits Leon Ruan, Justin Sangare, Luis Roberts, Sam Lisone, James McDonnell and Derrell Olpherts are included.
The Rhinos are also without Mikolaj Oledzki and Luke Hooley through injury.
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