Eastwood injury hurts Leeds' bid to fell Giants

(GETTY IMAGES)

The stuttering relationship between Leeds and Greg Eastwood has suffered another interruption with the news that the Kiwi forward will be out for three months with a wrist injury.

Eastwood fractured the wrist in the victory over Harlequins last weekend and is expected to miss between 10 and 12 games for the Rhinos, starting with tomorrow's trip to Huddersfield.

The New Zealander's arrival at Leeds was delayed for a full year by visa complications and he then had a fitness level to regain when he linked up with his new club.

In recent weeks, however, he has looked worth the wait and his absence will be a blow to a Leeds side still looking for last season's consistency. "We are all disappointed for Greg, especially as he has fitted so well into our squad since he arrived," said his coach, Brian McClennan.

Much better news for Leeds is that Eastwood's place in their 19 at Galpharm goes to their captain, Kevin Sinfield, who is expected to be fit for the first time since limping out of the World Club Challenge with a thigh injury. The young winger, Tom Bush, retains his place after a promising debut last week.

Huddersfield are still without their captain and full-back, Brett Hodgson, although that hardly held them back in the 52-0 demolition of Wakefield last weekend. Their coach, Nathan Brown, has Graeme Horne and Stephen Wild available, but is more likely to stick to an unchanged side.

In today's games, Warrington will have Richie Myler, but not Lee Briers, fit to return against Bradford, while Mike Cooper, the prop they have lent to Castleford, is in line to make his first appearance for them at the Catalans Dragons. Tomorrow's other game pits Super League's bottom two against each other as Salford go to Harlequins.

Leigh are to host England's mid-season international against France on 12 June – earlier in the same evening that the national football team open their World Cup campaign in South Africa against the US.

Wigan have allowed two of their young reserve forwards, Neil Holland and Chris Tuson, to go to Blackpool Panthers as dual registration players who can be called upon by either club.