Leeds Rhinos injury nominees as new signing still sidelined – Total Rugby League

LEEDS RHINOS head coach Rohan Smith will welcome back striker Tom Holroyd from concussion and David Fusitu’a from a knee injury for this weekend’s clash with Hull FC.

Andy Ackers, meanwhile, will be sidelined with concussion – as will Matty Russell, who only joined the club last month on an eight-week loan.

For Smith, it’s about trying to manage the situation as best as possible.

“We’ve tried to protect all of our players as best we can, but sometimes that’s the nature of sports,” Smith said.

“You get hit in a weak position and there’s a lot of big, heavy guys bumping into each other. Fus (David Fusitu’a) has really dedicated himself to getting in the best preventative shape possible.

“We’re keen for him to get back there and then he can have a massive impact on our group.”

As for those stars who have been ruled out due to concussion, Tom Holroyd is on the way back after an extended spell, but Andy Ackers remains sidelined.

“We certainly find with concussions that no two are the same and Tom has had some side effects and little setbacks.

“In and among them, he was able to do some training. He missed a bit of pre-season training managing his knee rehab so it’s been a mini-pre-season for Tom and he’s in better shape than he was previously.

“There are no long-term worries for Andy. It’s a bit of an extended return to action given the symptoms he suffered and the fact that it was a delayed debut.

“He’s been training well the last couple of days.”

With the Rhinos suffering on the injury front, Smith brought in Matty Russell from Warrington Wolves, but he too suffered an injury on his debut for the club.

Although the winger will not play for Leeds against Hull FC this weekend, Russell will be back next week.

“He originally signed on a two-month loan, so we are very happy to have Matty as part of our team.

“He’s recovered from the head knock and the knee problem, but now he’s got a minor problem that we didn’t want to push this week.

“It’ll be back in the mix next week.”

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