Released Bailey pledges to repay Leeds' loyalty

The Leeds prop Ryan Bailey has vowed on his release from a young offenders' institution to repay the club for their loyalty to him.

Bailey has been released on licence after serving two-thirds of a three-month sentence for his part in a city centre brawl and could be in the Rhinos' squad for Friday's sudden-death play-off against Wigan.

"I realise my actions put the good name of both Leeds and rugby league in jeopardy," Bailey said. "I hope I'll be able to get back to my best as soon as possible."

The Wigan coach, Mike Gregory, is prepared for the possibility of the 19-year-old forward revitalising the Leeds pack. "He would bring some aggression, but you have to be realistic, because he hasn't trained with the team for two and a half months," Gregory said. "Daryl Powell has a big decision to make."

Gregory expects to have a full-strength team for Headingley, with both Andy Farrell and Adrian Lam likely to be fit.

New Zealand have revealed that they approached Henry Paul about making a one-off return to rugby league for their game against Australia on 18 October.

They asked the former Wigan and Bradford player to help them through their half-back crisis, but Paul - who missed the English World Cup squad - has told them he had commitments with Gloucester.

Salford have lined up Sean Rutgerson of Canberra, Manly's Mark Shipway and Dennis Scott from Canterbury to ease the transition to Super League next season. They will also sign Andy Johnson from Castleford and Joel Caine, who played for London this year.

Huddersfield have signed the centre Chris Nero from St George-Illawarra. He has a Greek passport and will not count on their overseas quota.