Zak Hardaker simply cannot keep his name out of the headlines at the minute. If you thought his move to Leeds Rhinos would settle the media frenzy down that has taken over for the past fortnight, think again.
Hardaker has been back at Leeds Rhinos for two days and now all eyes are on his debut, though whether that takes place against Hull Kingston Rovers remains to be seen. That's because Hardaker missed training on Wednesday as a result of illness, with a dose of rest the prescription ordered by club doctors. It really is never simple, is it?
Given that this development came just two days before the game, you would have to suggest his involvement is in serious doubt. It would take something for Hardaker to be forced from the field and even more for him to recover within two days.
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As such, it's suspected that Hardaker will not feature after all, quite the setback for a club that has brought him in to cover their already woeful injury list they have racked up in recent weeks. The Rhinos named a 20-man squad for a second week running on Wednesday highlighting their issues.
Should Hardaker not make it, that would likely leave the Rhinos with no option but to recall Levi Edwards from York City Knights, and throw him straight in at the deep end too. Hardaker was set to play fullback but Jack Broadbent would be the most obvious to fill that void after his impressive performance there against Toulouse Olympique. That would leave a spot for Edwards in the centres.
Blake Austin is a returnee and with Liam Sutcliffe now injured, it's a no-brainer for the Australian halfback to jump straight back in. The positive is that there is some much-needed continuity in the pack. The Rhinos suffered no injuries or suspensions within their forwards after the win over Toulouse and as a result, there aren't likely to be many changes.
Bodene Thompson could perhaps return for Muizz Mustapha, but it's hard to see any further changes.
Leeds Rhinos predicted lineup: Jack Broadbent, Liam Tindall, Levi Edwards, Max Simpson, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Jack Sinfield, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, Rhyse Martin, Morgan Gannon, Cameron Smith. Subs: Brad Dwyer, James Donaldson, Jarrod O'Connor, Bodene Thompson
Missing out: Zak Hardaker, Sam Walters, Oli Field, Muizz Mustapha
