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Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has spoken about his team selection ahead of Saturday\u2019s clash with Hull FC<\/a>, confirming that star man Edwin Ipape has been carrying a groin injury for the past few weeks.<\/p>\n Ipape is the longest-contracted player in Super League with Leigh Leopards moving to tie him down until the end of 2031, a strong sign of their belief in him, however, head coach Adrian Lam has admitted that he\u2019s not been at his best lately.<\/p>\n The reason for that is a minor groin issue but after a one-to-one talk, the Leopards boss is expecting a return to form for the Papua New Guinean star.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fair to say, and he has,\u201d Lam responded when asked about the potential drop in form, and whether it was down to an injury,<\/p>\n He revealed: \u201cHe\u2019s carried a slight groin strain and also a medial ligament on his knee, so the last three weeks he\u2019s really struggled with that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve tried to minimise his time as best we can, but he certainly hasn\u2019t had the impact in those games that he should have had, and he\u2019s aware of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Leigh Leopards boss reveals honest chat with Edwin Ipape<\/p>\n Leigh fans shouldn\u2019t worry too much though with Lam explaining that Ipape is \u201cgetting pretty close to fitness now\u201d and that the Leopards will consider how or if they use him next week against Salford.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you\u2019ll see a different Edwin Ipape this week\u201d, Lam tease.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had a one-on-one as well, which is important, and a little bit of honesty there. So I\u2019m looking forward to how he finishes the year. He\u2019s a really influential player for us.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s inspirational with his actions in his D, and he\u2019s also been falling off a lot of tackles so we\u2019ve got to make sure that his injury\u2019s right, his headspace is right, and that he gives the best to the team.\u201d<\/p>\n With Ipape effectively confirmed as starting, Lam also lifted the lid on other team selection issues as he explained that not a lot will change from the loss against Leeds Rhinos.<\/p>\n He explained: \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to make any changes but I think Aaron Pene is going to be playing reserves this week, so that\u2019s his first game back.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be in the picture the week after that now, which is probably our last player that\u2019s available to be fit for this year, if you take out Louis Brogan and Davy Armstrong, I think we\u2019re pretty close to full fitness from next weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n Robbie Mulhern fitness boost confirmed<\/p>\n On that healthy squad, Lam added:\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s a good sign at this time of year, and there will be pressure on the players to hold their positions. There\u2019s a lot of confidence still around the group, there\u2019s still a lot of belief there. With us turning the corner into this final last part of the race, we\u2019ve just got to make sure we\u2019re diligent.\u201d<\/p>\n Leigh sit just three points back from Wigan Warriors, who take on Hull KR on Friday night before the Leopards play on Saturday.<\/p>\n Lam explained that doesn\u2019t factor into anything, insisting: \u201cWe can only control what\u2019s in front us us. I\u2019m going to stay tunnel vision on us.\u201d<\/p>\n He also conceded that Robbie Mulhern may be used from the bench once again with the England international returning from injury last week.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got to try and fit them all in,\u201d Lam said of his props, adding: \u201cThat\u2019s the issue, and it\u2019s a great thing for us. I think Robbie Mulhern is a starting prop, so we\u2019ll see how that unfolds in the next two or three days.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not quite 100 per cent fit yet, but very, very close so we\u2019ll probably run with him off the bench for another week to minimise his time, but we\u2019ll make that decision on game day.<\/p>\n A true team effort finished by Edwin Ipape.<\/p>\n Cast your vote for July\u2019s Super League Try of the Month on the OURLEAGUE app pic.twitter.com\/mhXupz15Wt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) August 13, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753331296_223_srl-logo.png\"\/){kind=logo}
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