Leeds Rhinos news: injury update as Keanan Palasia, Maika Sivo and James McDonnell close to return
Leeds Rhinos could be back to near full-strength for next week’s game of the season at home to Wigan Warriors, if they get through Friday’s visit to St Helens unscathed.
Centre Jack Bird (concussion) and hooker Danny Levi (neck) are both poised to return from injury at Saints after being recalled to Rhinos’ 21-man squad. And coach Brad Arthur has confirmed winger Maika Sivo (broken arm), second-row James McDonnell (pectoral muscle) and prop Keenan Palasia (foot) could be back for the potential Betfred Super League leaders’ shield decider eight days later.
Arthur said: “Keenan is a really, really good chance for next week. Probably James and Maika are 50-50, but if neither [make it] they will play the following week. Keenan is probably the closest for next week.”
Sivo is Betfred Super League’s top try scorer this season with 29, despite having sat out the last four games. He was due to undergo an x-ray today (Wednesday) and Arthur said: “With Maika he just needs to be comfortable in the collision part of it, getting a whack on that arm and being able to use it to fend, things like that. He has been able to push up off the ground and has been quite comfortable for a couple of weeks now.”
As well as being one of Rhinos’ most reliable defenders, McDonnell has scored 12 touchdowns this year, including six in the four games before his injury. “With James, it’s just his strength levels at the outer range when he has to stick his arm out and make those reactionary-type tackles in the position he plays,” Arthur explained.
The next few weeks will define Rhinos’ season and the coach added: “Fingers crossed, if we can get through this week and keep everyone healthy, we have got five coming back at the right time of the year. They will be fresh, they should bring an injection of energy. I’ve seen Keenan’s energy in the contact room, he lifted the intensity and you could tell he was the fresh one on the scene.”