Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam has provided the latest on a number of injured players currently at the club, and there is hope that some could return this weekend.
The Leopards had “two in, two out” last week against Warrington, who are also their opponents in this week’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals.
Tesi Niu and Jack Hughes both dropped out following injuries the week prior, but Joe Ofahengaue and Owen Trout both returned to add strength to the Leigh pack.
Lam has said for the past few weeks that if players didn’t return last week, then they would more than likely make their comeback this week – that could be the case for a few of the Leopards contingent.
The boss confirmed to the press this week that a number of players will have to undergo a late fitness test in order to make the 17, with Leigh giving their players as much chance as possible to make the final cut.
“We’re going to give them to the end of the week,” Lam revealed. “It looks like nothing is coming through there, but we’ll have to wait and see.
“There was some hope on Edwin [Ipape] and Umlya [Hanley], Jack Hughes, Tesi [Niu]. They didn’t train with us today, but we’re going to give them right up until kick-off to see if they’re fit and available. So, [there will be a] fitness test at the back end of it.”
Whilst the short-term Leigh are doing it tough, there is hope that Lam will have a near-full squad to choose from by round 10 of Super League, which would be a huge welcome given the club’s torrid start to the season on the injury front.
“In the next two or three weeks, most of the players will be back. Certainly by round 10, everyone will be fit to be selected by round 10. That’s the long injury ones like Bailey Hodgson that’s including him. So hopefully there’s many more before then.
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