Amid the bad news, Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has highlighted a major boost to his side ahead of tonight’s (Friday) season-defining semi-final against Warrington Wolves.

Though Rhinos are depleted in the backs, the return of second-rower James McDonnell will bring their pack to near full-strength. Dream team member McDonnell has missed the last five games with a pectoral muscle injury and Arthur insisted: “He is probably one of the best defensive players in the competition and probably one of our best defensive players, so that will really help the right-edge.

“He is the glue there, he works extremely hard. He is going to be a bit short of a gallop, but he has been working hard and I feel like he will certainly help stiffen up that right-edge defensively. The opposition play-makers don’t enjoy playing against him - that’s what he brings to our team.”

James McDonnell will return to Leeds Rhinos' side for the play-off semi-final against Warrington Wolves. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

Also back in the 21-man squad for the Betfred Super League play-off are teenage stand-off George Brown - for the first time since suffering a knee injury in March - and rookie Ned McCormack, who has made only two senior appearances this year. Ned McCormack and second-rower Chris Hankinson are options to replace centre Jack Bird after he was ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Ned’s brother Fergus McCormack is set to play at full-back in place of Ash Handley (back injury). Top try scorer Maika Sivo is in doubt because of a shoulder injury. Number one Lachie Miller, hooker Danny Levi, outside-back Alfie Edgell and forward Ben Littlewood remain on Leeds’ casualty list.

Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, McDonnell and Cameron Smith will all be playing at Headingley for the final time in Leeds colours. Ned McCormack is also moving on at the end of the season and it’s not yet known if Ryan Hall and Matt Lodge will be part of Rhinos’ squad in 2027.

Warrington coach Sam Burgess has named an unchanged 21 following last week’s play-off win against Hull KR.

Leeds Rhinos: from Sivo, Newman, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia, Hankinson, Jenkins, C Smith, Cassell, Lumb, N McCormack, Brown, F McCormack, Lloyd, Lodge.

Warrington Wolves: from Taylor-Wray, Thewlis, King, Hopoate, Ashton, Williams, Yates, Walker, Harrison, Stone, Currie, Powell, Byrne, Irwin, Hayes, Bentley, Philbin, Lindop, Wood, J Smith, Tanginoa.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield). Kick-off: Friday, 8pm.