Coach Brad Arthur has made three changes to his 21-man squad for Sunday’s visit to York Knights.

As expected, former North Queensland Cowboys prop Matt Lodge is included in the initial group for a likely Leeds debut off the bench just a week after arriving in this country. Fellow import Jeremiah Mata’utia has also been drafted in and will make his third Rhinos appearance - and first since a home win against Castleford Tigers on March 8 - if selected.

Teenage back Oscar Brown is the third addition, having made his return from long-term injury in the reserves’ win against Hull FC eight days ago. He has yet to make his debut and, speaking earlier this week, Arthur said it is unlikely Brown will feature in the 17 because of his lack of recent game time.

Jeremiah Mata’utia, seen training with Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas six months ago, has been called into the initial 21-man squad for Sunday's game at York Knights. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Centre Jack Bird is ruled out after failing a head injury assessment during last week’s loss to Leigh Leopards. Second-row James McDonnell missed that game because of a pectoral muscle injury and also makes way along with three-quarter Ned McCormack.

Players remaining on Rhinos’ casualty list are winger Maika Sivo, prop Keenan Palasia, centre Max Simpson, outside-back Alfie Edgell, hooker Danny Levi and stand-off George Brown.

Former Rhinos Grand Final winner Ben Jones-Bishop is set to return from injury for York, along with fellow back Scott Galeano and hooker Thomas Doyle could make his debut after a move from Wakefield Trinity.

Prop Paul Vaughan is unavailable after failing a head injury assessment during last week’s defeat at Warrington Wolves. Nikau Williams and Brad Ward also drop out from the 21.

Rhinos’ 21 is: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Presley Cassell, Riley Lumb, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Fergie McCormack, Zak Lloyd, Matt Lodge, Oscar Brown.

York’s initial squad is: Toa Mata’afa, Ben Jones-Bishop, Sam Wood, Scott Galeano, Ata Hingano, Liam Harris, Jack Martin, Paul McShane, Jesse Dee, Jordan Thompson, Denive Balmforth, Xavier Va’a, Justin Sangare, Oli Field, Kieran Buchanan, Jon Bennison, Matty Foster, Cody Hunter, David Nofoaluma, Tom Inman, Thomas Doyle.