Leeds Rhinos have suffered a new double injury blow ahead of Sunday’s derby at Castleford Tigers.

Captain/centre Ash Handley and hooker Jarrod O’Connor have both been ruled out and join winger Ryan Hall and prop Keenan Palasia on the sidelines. Handley has undergone a laparoscopic appendectomy - which is surgery to remove an inflamed appendix - after suffering acute appendicitis earlier this week. He is expected to be sidelined for three weeks.

O’Connor, a substitute in last week’s win at Catalans Dragons, is now going through the sport’s head injury return to play protocol after showing signs of delayed concussion. He took a heavy knock in the second half, but managed to play on.

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Ash Handley has been ruled out of Leeds Rhinos' squad for Sunday's derby at Castleford Tigers. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Ash Handley has been ruled out of Leeds Rhinos' squad for Sunday's derby at Castleford Tigers. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Foot injury victim Palasia, who didn’t play in France and is set for six weeks on the casualty list, also drops out of Rhinos’ initial 21-man squad for the game which will be refereed by Liam Rush and streamed on Sky Sports+ and SuperLeague+. Forwards Ben Littlewood and Zak Lloyd, who has yet to make his Super League debut, have been drafted in, as has full-back Fergie McCormack.

Prop Cooper Jenkins retains his place after suffering bleeding behind an eye during last week’s game. Jake Connor also continues in the 21 despite taking a bang to a shoulder against Catalans.

Front-rower Tyler Dupree returns to Tigers’ squad after a concussion and veteran forward Joe Westerman is also called up. Louis Senior drops out from the 20 named before last Saturday’s defeat at Leigh Leopards.

Darnell McIntosh, Brock Greacen and George Hirst remain on the casualty list, but Krystian Mapapalangi is included after being ruled out of the Leigh game by a knock suffered in the warm-up and Jordan Lane retains his place despite a hip injury.

Rhinos’ 21 is: Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Jake Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Tom Holroyd, Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell, Chris Hankinson, Cooper Jenkins, Cameron Smith, Presley Cassell, Alfie Edgell, Riley Lumb, Danny Levi, Ben Littlewood, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Fergie McCormack, Jack Bird, Zak Lloyd.

Tigers’ initial squad is: Semi Valemei, Mikaele Ravalawa, Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson, Jack Ashworth, Joe Westerman, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, Cain Robb, Ashton Golding, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Tyler Dupree, Jack Brown.