Keanan Brand could be set for a return to Widnes Vikings, with the Leigh Leopards star potentially going back to his former club on loan.
Brand has been missing since March through injury, and after almost coming back earlier in the year, had a set-back that has kept him sidelined up to now.
However, with the likes of Josh Charnley and Innes Senior playing so well on the flanks, the former Warrington man won’t just slot into the first team side straight away, and will need a few games to get back up to full fitness.
That is where Widnes come in. The Vikings are set to play a huge four games in 14 days due to their involvement in the 1895 Cup Final and the way that the Championship schedule works.
After their 11-10 win over Halifax at the weekend, head coach Allan Coleman said his side were down to the bare bones, with new signing Max Banditt, Matty Fozard and Joe Edge all set for spells on the sidelines.
Leigh and Widnes have until Thursday to sort out a move, with the registration deadline fast approaching.
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Leigh Leopards boss reveals loan plan for returning duo
Lam confirmed in his press conference today that Brand and AJ Towse could be heading out on short-term deal, but the deadline does bring up some complications.
“[Coming] into consideration this week is the availability of AJ Towse and also Keanan Brand, two of our up-and-coming young guns, which I love.
“They both, in the last two years, have excelled in pre-season and have played a lot of rugby for us, especially Keanan at the start of this year. Both players are coming back after 12 to 14 weeks, one and the other. So they’ve been out for a long time.
“The priority for us as a club would probably be to [give] those players big minutes somewhere else and not in Super League or with us in Super League. It’s very hard to change a winning team after that performance against Leeds, so those two boys will more than likely get some game time away from here this week and then we can see how that progresses.
“There is a cut-off date for loanees. You can get out this week, and once you call them back, they then can’t go back out after this week, or they can’t go to a club after this week to get time there. They need to go this week if that’s meant to be. So the timing of that is important as well for our club.
On a potential reunion between Brand and Widnes, Lam said: “Possibly. I think definitely for Keanan.
“Keanan’s a Widnes junior through his development, so no doubt we’ll try and look at that. I don’t know how they sit.
“All that information will be known by the end of tomorrow [Wednesday], I would say. Players have got to be registered by Thursday.
“I just know that Towse and Brand have been unbelievable for us in the last two years. I think Towse is ready to pounce like a leopard as well. He’s been unbelievable for us in his development and growth, and he hasn’t really had a chance because of injuries over the last two years. Both of them are players that I look forward to being a part of this group in the long term moving forward.
