Key players return to boost Leeds Rhinos in Super League clash with Hull KR

Coach Richard Agar will name an initial 21-man squad today, but confirmed the influx of experience in his weekly press conference.

Rhinos have been without 12 of their first team squad for the past two games, losses to St Helens in the Betfred Challenge Cup and a Super League reverse against Wigan Warriors, but the crisis is beginning to ease.

Agar said winger Ash Handley (knee), centre Konrad Hurrell (calf muscle), full-back/half-back Richie Myler (hamstring), prop King Vuniyayawa (concussion) and second-row Bodene Thompson (ribs) are all expected to be in contention and Liam Sutcliffe, who has played at half-back this year, has “a chance” of being included.

But Agar warned getting first-choice names on the teamsheet “doesn’t necessarily mean you are back playing your best football, it doesn’t work like that”.

He said: “What’s important for us is, if we do get some guys back in this week, we replicate the same amount of spirit and desire and hope some of the guys coming in can give us a little bit more in some of the areas we haven’t quite had enough in over the last couple of weeks.”

The coach admitted: “We have had two really big efforts playing the two teams that contested last season’s Grand Final and will probably be there or thereabouts come the end of the year.