Rugby League: Iro's arrival adds to injured list at Leeds

KEVIN IRO has arrived at Leeds, but only to complete a triangle of injured former Wigan players for tomorrow's game against Hull KR. Iro has brought an ankle ligament problem with him from the southern hemisphere - a legacy of the second Test against Great Britain in Auckland this July, but aggravated in his final game for his Australian club, Manly, last month.

He will join two old Central Park team-mates on the Headingley sidelines; Andy Gregory is still easing his way back after knee surgery and Ellery Hanley was yesterday withdrawn from tomorrow's starting line-up with a recurrence of hamstring trouble. He may yet recover sufficiently to act as substitute in the game, but yet another former Wigan luminary, Andy Goodway, will begin at loose forward.

Iro said that he expected to be fit within two weeks to take his place in a Leeds side, the unfulfilled potential of which has persuaded him to return to England after an 18-month gap.

'Leeds were always in the back of my mind as a side to play for,' he said. 'It's a new-look side, but I've played with or against a lot of the players and it's a great opportunity to join them. Andy Gregory is a player who always gives you great service, and, although I've never played with Garry Schofield, I know it will be the same with him.'

The Leeds coach, Doug Laughton, described Iro, as he has several of his other recent signings, as 'a class act. He's a giant of a man, who makes the ball available for his wingers as well as scoring tries.'

Iro's arrival brings the departure of his compatriot, Morvin Edwards, closer. Edwards has been linked with Oldham, although it may be initially on a month's loan while Leeds try again to free Gary Mercer from the import quota.

The club's chief executive, Alf Davies, said that John Gallagher could leave for Salford, but that Leeds would not compensate him for the two remaining years of his contract. Laughton said that he had not contacted Wigan over their dissatisfied Great Britain forward, Ian Lucas, but added the tantalising rider 'yet'.