Leeds Rhinos forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan could be about to end his lengthy injury absence this Friday, after being named in the club’s 19-man squad to face Huddersfield Giants.
Jones-Buchanan has not played since being stretchered off during Leeds’ Challenge Cup semi-final victory against St Helens last August – but he is in the running for Brian McDermott’s side after being included in the coach’s squad for the West Yorkshire derby.
Jones-Buchanan told TotalRL in the build-up to the game that he’s actually ahead of schedule, and he’s desperate to get back out playing.
“I’m on plan, in fact I’m well ahead of schedule,” he said.
“It was nine months originally but that was the surgeon throwing the gauntlet down for me; I enjoy beating them and I’m going to beat this one.
“With where we are as a team at the minute it’ll be good to get some bodies back on the field, and I just want to contribute now.”
Leeds squad to face Huddersfield: Hardaker, Watkins, Moon, Hall, Burrow, Galloway, Cuthbertson, Jones-Buchanan, Sutcliffe, Delaney, Singleton, Achurch, Keinhorst, Mullally, Walters, Handley, Baldwinson, Lilley, Ferres.
