Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has provided an injury update on star man Jake Connor ahead of Friday’s huge game at St Helens.

The reigning Man of Steel hobbled out of last Sunday’s 66-16 win at York Knights, raising fears he could miss Leeds’ biggest game of the season so far. But speaking about Connor at his weekly preview press conference today, Arthur said: “He’s good.

"Obviously we’ve got a shorter turnaround this week, five days and he just did a light walk through yesterday. He is fine and on track to train today and play this week.”

Leeds Rhinos' Jake Connor. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Connor lasted 65 minutes of the game days ago before being substituted, but gave up goal kicking duties in the first half. Arthur added: “After the game we had a little bit of concern - we didn’t know.

“He got a whack in the first half to his shin that bled and it sort of built up in his ankle and moved around the back of his calf. It tightened up and that’s what scared him. That’s why we thought we’ll get him off straight away.”

The team boss confirmed hooker Danny Levi will return from long-term injury as a substitute this week. Centre Jack Bird will also feature after missing the trip to York because of concussion. Levi hasn’t played since suffering damage to his neck against Castleford Tigers six weeks ago.

“As long as he gets through the final session today, he will come back in,” Arthur said. “We’ll look to ease him in at some stage of the second half. He is really excited and he’s keen to get back into it.

Danny Levi is set to make his Leeds Rhinos return this weekend, having not played since suffering a neck injury in a game at Castleford Tigers on July 19. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

“He has done all the right things and ticked all the boxes - he is comfortable and his family’s comfortable for him to get back on the field. We are happy for him. It goes without saying what he is going to bring to the team, but his energy back around the group this week was a good lift for us. He is tough, he competes hard and he’s a winner.”

Jarrod O’Connor has played the full 80 minutes in Rhinos’ last five games and Arthur is excited by the prospect of both hookers being in the 17. “He is a really good team member,” he said of Levi.

“He is in competition for spots with Jarrod, but he is one of Jarrod’s biggest supporters. He gets excited when Jarrod does something good or leads the line speed - they have got a really good connection, those two and it helps when you’ve got two hookers working with each other and not against each other.”

Rhinos scored 12 tries last week and Arthur admitted he has some “tough” selection decisions to make, but stressed: “It is a good position to be in and we could have more coming back in next week and the week after.”

Jack Bird has recovered from a concussion and will return for Leeds Rhinos at St Helens on Friday. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Winger Maika Sivo and forwards James McDonnell and Keenan Palasia remain on the casualty list, but could come into contention for the potential league leaders’ shield decider at home to Wigan Warriors a week on Saturday.