Leeds Rhinos news as stars ruled out, loans recalled: full injury round-up ahead of Huddersfield Giants

The second-rower is one of four senior forwards definitely ruled out of Friday’s visit of Huddersfield Giants in Betfred Super League. Bentley missed Rhinos last game, against Warrington Wolves two weeks ago, after failing a head injury assessment during the Easter win at Castleford Tigers.

He also sat out the final month of last season, after being concussed in a game at Huddersfield and Smith admitted another head injury is “not ideal for sure and something we are getting expert assistance with”.

He said: “James has had some symptoms so he has been set back a bit further. There’s no exact date on that return, but he is not going to be returning any time soon. No timescale been given, exactly, but I think he is due back for another check up next week.”

Winger Ash Handley (ribs) and prop Tom Holroyd (concussion) remain on the casualty list after being hurt against Warrington. Smith said: “Ash was cleared of a fractured rib, but there’s a rib cartilage issue which can be pretty painful, particularly in the opening week or two, so he won’t be available this week.

“It will be a week-to-week proposition from that point. Tom Holroyd hasn’t progressed quickly enough through the hia protocol so he won’t be available this weekend either.”

Other forwards sidelined this week are second-rower Morgan Gannon - who is stood down until at least June because of concussion - and prop/back-rower James Donaldson. Gannon was concussed twice in pre-season - after similar problems during the previous two years - and Smith said: “This period of time was about rest and rejuvenation. He is doing some training, but he’s not anywhere near contact. It’s a matter of recharging the batteries for him and hopefully that can help reset him.”

Donaldson had been set to play against Warrington, but missed that game after aggravating a neck injury in training and is still being assessed. In addition, hooker Corey Johnson, who is on loan at Bradford Bulls, has not played since failing an hia in a Rhinos reserve game at Leigh Leopards last month, though he could be back on the field at some level this weekend.

With injuries mounting in Leeds’ pack, they have recalled loan duo Leon Ruan from Doncaster and Tom Nicholson-Watton, who was at York Knights. In the backs, winger David Fusitu’a, who has not played this season, is now available following knee surgery and will replace Handley.

Smith comfirmed: “Fus has trained fully this week in preparation to play. It is a shame to be missing Ash, but a timely return for Fus. We just want him to play his game.

“He is a strong ball carrier and a threat in the air. He and Harry [Newman] have a good partnership on and off the field so we are looking to further bolster the threat on that right edge with those two together - yardage carries and hopefully we can get some kicks over to him as well.”

Rhinos’ other remaining casualty is teenage centre Max Simpson, who has been sidelined since tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in pre-season training last year. He is “not too far away”, according to the coach, but Smith stressed: “There’s no exact timeframe.

“Our medical team are being extremely thorough. He is training really well,. But there’s a couple of things he hasn’t quite cleared off and they won’t clear him to play until he has done those.

“We are not bringing a young player back until everything is squeaky clean and ticked off. There’s been a few minor setbacks and things that have held back his progress, but there’s also research to say that with every month that goes by you are better off with that type of injury.”