Boss Brad Arthur has taken a defiant approach to Leeds Rhinos’ semi-final injury woes.

Speaking at his preview press conference this morning (Wednesday), Arthur confirmed both captain Ash Handley - who was due to play full-back - and centre Jack Bird will miss Friday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final qualifier at home to Warrington Wolves. As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Handley has a back issue while Bird is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Arthur said 20-year-old Fergus McCormack will come in at number one for his fifth senior game. Centre options include his brother Ned McCormack and Chris Hankinson, who has been playing in the second-row.

The coach insisted this week’s reshuffle is “not the best case scenario, but certainly not an excuse or reason why we can’t get the job done”. And he stressed: “I like these sort of situations, it brings the best out of you and shows your character.

Fergus McCormack is set to play at full-back for Leeds Rhinos in Friday's Betfred Super League semi-final against Warrington Wolves. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Fergus McCormack is set to play at full-back for Leeds Rhinos in Friday's Betfred Super League semi-final against Warrington Wolves. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

“You get that hardened mentality and go after it. What have we got to lose? We’ve got everything to gain. These young guys have got an opportunity on a big stage to go and own it. We are backing them - we are right behind them and the team’s right behind them.”

First-choice full-back Lachie Miller (hamstring) and hooker Danny Levi (neck) sustained season-ending injuries before the latest setbacks, which developed last week. Arthur explained: “Birdy last week had a bit of a hamstring complaint so he won’t be right this week. It is a week-to-week proposition at the moment.

“Ash has just come up with a bit of a disc bulge which is sending some neural pain down to his legs so he won’t be available. Again it is a week-to-week proposition.”

Chris Hankinson, seen on the ball against Hull FC two weeks ago, is an option to play centre when Leeds Rhinos face Warrington Wolves on Friday. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

However, the coach added: “Every time you get an injury it’s a blow, it doesn’t matter who it is, but some of the best decisions I’ve made as a coach have been ones I’ve been forced into.

“I am looking forward to young Fergus playing at full-back. He has trained really well since last Monday/Tuesday. We’ve had four sessions and he looks a lot more comfortable and a lot more at ease from his three [Super League] games he had with us. He has worked on some things and looks a lot more like he believes he belongs so we are backing him and we’re really happy he gets a chance.”

Arthur called Fergus McCormack, Rhinos’ young player of the year, yesterday, on the squad’s day off, to underline his confidence in the rookie. He said: “He looks like a different person, a lot more confident and the boys look more comfortable around him.

“You can see he has grown. After the three games he had we did a bit of a review, he has gone away and worked on things and he looks a lot more equipped to handle this big occasion. He is excited, he’s confident about it and he’s looking forward to it.”

Jack Bird, seen in action for Leeds Rhinos' against Hull FC two weeks ago, will miss Friday's Super League semi-final showdown with Warrington Wolves because of a hamstring injury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Of the centre role, Arthur said: “Ned has done a fair bit of training there during the week because we’ve had a few numbers down, but we’ve got a couple of options. Chris Hankinson is in consideration, we’ve had him off-feet for a couple of days so he will do a bit there today and he’s all good.”