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Leeds Rhinos deal with 2 months injury layoff with Ash Handley in race to face Hull KR

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Leeds Rhinos deal with 2 months injury layoff with Ash Handley in race to face Hull KR

New Leeds Rhinos manager Brad Arthur has confirmed the club have been dealt a significant blow, with two of Thursday’s starters expected to be out for four weeks or more through injury.

There is also a race against time for Ash Handley to be fit to face Hull KR on Saturday. However, the England international has managed to get through to new manager Arthur, who spoke highly of the winger’s leadership qualities.

Arthur was alongside interim manager Chev Walker for Leeds Rhinos’ defeat to Warrington Wolves on Thursday night, although he did not officially start work until Friday. His inbox must have been pretty full, but freshest on top of the pile would be the injury news suffered the night before.

Both winger Mickael Goudemand and young centre Ned McCormack have suffered injuries and it has now been confirmed by Arthur that both will be out for at least four weeks, with the Frenchman possibly closer to six.

Speaking to the press today, Arthur said of Goudemand: “He’s out for four to six weeks with an AC joint injury,” before adding that Thursday’s goalscorer McCormack had suffered a hamstring injury that meant he was “probably out for a month as well”.

Then the questions turned to Leeds Rhinos’ leading goalscorer this season and their longest-serving player, Ash Handley, who the Australian would speak glowingly about.

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Ash Handley receives high praise from new Leeds Rhinos manager

Credit: Imago Images

Unfortunately for Leeds Rhinos and the player, Ash Handley has been struggling with injuries all season and it has kept him off the field far more than he would have liked. However, when he has been on the field, he has been lethal with the speedster seemingly holding his own try competition of the season.

It was also explained that even in the moments when Handley is not playing, he is giving the team plenty of work, with Arthur praising his unusual leadership skills and giving an update on his injury.

“He trained yesterday and he just has a few things he needs to manage, but the good thing about Ash, who I’ve had a lot more contact with, is that he has a good leadership style.

“He was telling me a bit about himself yesterday and that he’s been at Leeds for a long, long time and his whole career. He just wants to win, which is great.

“He spoke very highly of us in a meeting on Friday and you don’t normally hear much about wingers. I think I’m looking forward to coaching him, actually.”

One man Handley may well be inspiring is young loanee Sam Eseh, who Arthur admitted uncertainty about staying at the club.

Asked about Eseh’s loan situation, the Australian was honest and explained: “I’m not sure what’s going on. I’m just trying to understand football and the things we need to do to help us improve this week.

“At the end of the week, when the boys are comfortable with their preparation, then I’ll sit down with Ian and we’ll have a look at it.”


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