Fit-again forward Tom Holroyd has revealed Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur’s instructions ahead of his return from more than a month on the casualty list.

The 25-year-old front-rower featured in Rhinos’ first 13 games this year before missing four in May and June because of a back spasm. He made his comeback as a substitute in last Friday’s 34-8 home win against Hull KR.

“I have been putting in the work and I think Brad has taken that into account,” Holroyd said. “He knows I’ve been working hard to get back. I hate missing games, I want to be out there with the lads - you just want to play in this team at the minute.

“It’s exciting and you want to be a part of it. I was ready probably last week and could have played, but Brad gave me another week of training and I think it did me a world of good, just to have that under my belt going into [Friday’s] game.”

Tom Holroyd on the charge for leeds Rhinos against Hull KR. Picture by Steve Riding.

placeholder image — Tom Holroyd on the charge for leeds Rhinos against Hull KR. Picture by Steve Riding.

Holroyd’s back problem didn’t require surgery and he explained: “The first couple of weeks was just waiting for that to settle, then physio and getting back on my feet, running and getting wrestle back in and then full training. It was a pretty straightforward process really.”

Leeds’ middle-forwards played a major role in the win against Rovers, setting a platform for Jake Connor to display his creative skills at scrum-half. Assessing his comeback performance, Holroyd - who played 20 minutes either side of half-time and returned for the last seven - said: “I was pleased, I think I did my job.

“Brad said that’s all he wanted from me, really - to do my job. When you’ve got such good teammates, all you need to do is your job. I think I did that and it was a good day.”

'Just do your job' was the message from Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur, pictured, to Tom Holroyd ahead of the prop's return from injury. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

The victory was Rhinos’ fourth in succession against the current Betfred Super League champions and completed a double after the 58-6 win in Las Vegas four months earlier. It also restored Rhinos’ two-point advantage over Warrington Wolves at the top of the table.

Leeds won 34-6 at Warrington in their previous game and have lost just one of their last 11. “It shows where we’re at at the minute; we are a tough team, we are gritty and we are hard to beat, especially at home,” Holroyd reflected.

“It is a tough place to come and we are proud of that. The atmosphere is awesome, the fans get behind you and coming here is a daunting place, I imagine, for teams. We have to perform to match that.”

After a run of games involving top-six opponents, Leeds’ next five are against sides outside the play-off positions, beginning with Sunday’s Magic Weekend derby versus Bradford Bulls. Though Leeds will travel to Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium as favourites, Holroyd stressed they can’t let their standards drop,

“We want to stay top,” he insisted. “Every game’s a tough game in Super League and Magic Weekend will bring a good performance out of anyone so we’ve got to be ready for it.”