“This is the best news I’ve had in two years” – Harry Newman given all-clear after double leg break

Correspondent

Harry Newman is back for Leeds

Leeds centre Harry Newman has finally been given the all-clear to resume full training, 10 months after breaking his leg in two places.

The 21-year-old Newman, who is in England coach Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad, has been sidelined since last September when he sustained the injury in a league match against Hull KR at Warrington.

He had hoped to be cleared in May but suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.

“This is the best news I’ve had in two years,” Newman said. “It’s been 41 weeks to the day – I worked it out today – and, as soon as he told me, I jumped out of the seat, shouting ‘yes, we’ve done it’.

“I’ve been looking forward to getting to this point. After the news last time that I wasn’t where I needed to be, I was worried I might need another six weeks but I’ve worked hard and I could tell it had definitely improved.

“I feel ready to go and I can’t wait to get back on the training field on Monday. I’ll sit down with Rich (Agar) and the rest of the coaches and put a plan together. I have got a game in mind which I want to play.”

Newman says he went through some dark times during his enforced lay-off but says he will come back a more mature and physically improved player.

“When I broke my leg, I had just been selected for England but I reckon this long period out has given me a massive opportunity to grow both physically and mentally as a player,” he said.

“I don’t think as a player you can go through much tougher times than being out for nearly a year, watching your team-mates playing matches and missing a Challenge Cup final.

“I guess it has made me even more hungry and throughout the 41 weeks I’ve improved my strength. I can bench press 150 kilos and I’ve hit a higher speed compared to before.

“Some days you think you’re never going to return, especially after a bit of bad news it’s hard to get up for training, but getting the all-clear yesterday made it all worthwhile.”

Super League Harry Newman