Coach Brad Arthur is set to make three changes to Leeds Rhinos’ 17 for today’s (Sunday) derby at Castleford Tigers.

Centre Ash Handley and hooker Jarrod O’Connor are ruled out from the side which won at Catalans Dragons eight days ago and Arthur looks set to make a change on the right-wing.

Early-season signing Jack Bird is expected to come into the starting lineup in place of Handley who faces three games on the sidelines after falling ill with acute appendicitis earlier this week. Bird has not feature since underdoing knee surgery in May.

Declared fit last month, he was unable to displace Harry Newman who has been in impressive form since returning from a stint on loan at Hull FC. Speaking about Bird’s situation at his preview press conference earlier this week, Arthur admitted the former State of Origin star - who played six successive games before his injury - has had a tough couple of months.

Centre Jack Bird is set to make his first senior appearance for two months when Leeds Rhinos visit Castleford Tigers today (Sunday). Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

placeholder image — Centre Jack Bird is set to make his first senior appearance for two months when Leeds Rhinos visit Castleford Tigers today (Sunday). Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

“It’s not easy for any of those guys,” he said of players not in the team. “It’s just the situation, they don’t have any control over it - they only have control over their response and their attitude to training and making sure they are ready if a chance becomes available.

“Jack came into the team for Harry, he played well, got injured and Harry got his chance back and played well. That’s just how it is. Jack is a professional sportsman, he knows what it’s about; he just has to train hard and he has been waiting and hoping a chance becomes available.”

Prop Tom Nicholson-Watton is favourite to come into the squad for O’Connor who was a substitute in France and has been ruled out because of a delayed concussion. Forwards Zak Lloyd and Ben Littlewood and full-back Fergie McCormack have all been drafted into Rhinos’ 21-man squad, but played for the reserves in yesterday’s 68-6 win at Castleford.

Riley Lumb, who came into the side last week in place of foot injury victim Ryan Hall, also featured in the second-string. That suggests Alfie Edgell, an unused squad member against Catalans when Nicholson-Watton was 18th man, will take over on the right-flank this afternoon. Read more: How they could line up: Leeds Rhinos predicted starting 13 and bench v Castleford Tigers

Castleford Tigers hope to have Krystian Mapapalangi back in their 17 for today's visit of Leeds Rhinos. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

“Alfie is getting closer and closer to a return,” Arthur confirmed. “He is putting pressure on everyone in that position, which is great. Every time he got an opportunity last year he did a great job.

“We have got the luxury of guys that are jumping to get a chance and an opportunity. Riley did some good things and some things he needs to work on. We’ve done some work and we’ll see what happens when we get there on Sunday.”

Tigers hope to welcome back star centre Krystian Mapapalangi after he was hurt in the warm-up before last weekend’s defeat at Leigh Leopards. “He has been working really hard on his rehab and recovery to get that sorted,” coach Ryan Carr said.

“He had a bad dead leg there for probably like three weeks. He just kept getting a whack on it every week and it just became a little bit too much last weekend. He is definitely a chance of playing.”

Alfie Edgell is in line for a Leeds Rhinos recall after recovering from a long-term thigh injury. Picture by Steve Riding.

Tyler Dupree and Joe Westerman are back in contention, but fellow forward Jordan Lane is in doubt with a hip flexor strain. “He’s the ultimate professional, he’s doing everything he can,” Carr said of Lane. “It’s settling quite well so we’re hopeful to be able to get him up for this week too.

“Tyler is still working through the protocols. We’re hopeful, obviously, but we’ve just got to go through and tick every little box and see he gets through every stage he needs to.”

There was a boost for Castleford when long-term injury victim Fletcher Rooney made his comeback at full-back in yesterday’s second team match.

Castleford Tigers: from Valemei, Ravalawa, Asi, Weaver, Atoni, Hood, Lawler, Lane, Mellor, Stimson, Ashworth, Westerman, Qareqare, Mapapalangi, Windley, S Hall, Robb, Golding, Laulu-Togaga’e, Dupree, Brown.

Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Sivo, Newman, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Hankinson, Jenkins, Smith, Cassell, Edgell, Lumb, Levi, Littlewood, Nicholson-Watton, F McCormack, Bird, Lloyd.

Referee: Liam Rush (Dewsbury/Batley). Kick-off: Today (Sunday), 3pm.