TOM JOHNSTONE could make his first appearance of the season in Friday’s Challenge Cup derby.

The England winger had a hernia operation in the off-season and then suffered a slight tear to his knee cartilage on the eve of the new campaign.

He’s been named in Wakefield Trinity’s 21-man squad to play Leeds Rhinos, taking the place of Mason Lino who remains unavailable after three weeks out with a hamstring issue.

Leeds also make just one change to their squad, with Brodie Croft back in contention after missing the victory over Castleford Tigers with a hamstring injury.

Jack Bird is again named but the new Australian signing is likely to have to wait another week for his Rhinos debut.

Mikolaj Oledzki and James McDonnell, however, are well placed to return.

SQUADS

Trinity: 1 Max Jowitt, 2 Oliver Pratt, 3 Cameron Scott, 4 Corey Hall, 5 Tom Johnstone, 6 Jake Trueman, 8 Mike McMeeken, 10 Ky Rodwell, 11 Seth Nikotemo, 12 Matty Storton, 13 Jazz Tevaga, 14 Jay Pitts, 15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16 Caius Faatili, 17 Harvey Smith, 18 Isaiah Vagana, 20 Jack Sinfield, 21 Jayden Myers, 23 Josh Rourke, 24 Tray Lolesio, 32 Will Tate

Outs: 7 Mason Lino,

Ins: 5 Tom Johnstone,

Rhinos: 1 Lachlan Miller, 2 Maika Sivo, 3 Harry Newman, 4 Ash Handley, 5 Ryan Hall, 6 Brodie Croft, 7 Jake Connor, 8 Mikolaj Oledzki, 9 Jarrod O’Connor, 10 Tom Holroyd, 11 Kallum Watkins, 12 James McDonnell, 13 Keenan Palasia, 14 Chris Hankinson, 15 Cooper Jenkins, 16 Ethan O’Neill, 17 Cameron Smith, 19 Jeremiah Mata’utia, 23 Danny Levi, 27 George Brown, 33 Jack Bird

Outs: 24 Ned McCormack,

Ins: 6 Brodie Croft,

Referee: Jack Smith

STATS

Last ten meetings:
Wakefield 15, Leeds 14 (SLR20, 24/7/25)
Leeds 22, Wakefield 18 (SLR13, 31/5/25)
Leeds 12, Wakefield 14 (SLR1, 15/2/25)
Wakefield 24, Leeds 14 (SLR15, 11/6/23)
Leeds 26, Wakefield 0 (SLR4, 10/3/23)
Leeds 24, Wakefield 6 (SLR13, 20/5/22)
Wakefield 18, Leeds 34 (SLR4, 3/3/22)
Wakefield 20, Leeds 13 (SLR22, 30/8/21)
Leeds 15, Wakefield 13 (aet) (SLR6, 14/5/21)
Wakefield 22, Leeds 28 (SLR1, 27/3/21)
(at Emerald Headingley)

Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
2014 (Round 4) Wakefield 6 Leeds 60
2012 (Round 4) Leeds 38 Wakefield 18
2002 (Quarter Final) Leeds 46 Wakefield 10
1982 (Quarter Final) Wakefield 2 Leeds 20
1978 (Round 2) Wakefield 6 Leeds 28
1972 (Quarter Final) Leeds 11 Wakefield 5
1968 (FINAL) Leeds 11 Wakefield 10
(at Wembley Stadium)
1953 (Round 1, Second Leg) Leeds 32 Wakefield 9
1953 (Round 1, First Leg) Wakefield 9 Leeds 33
1950 (Quarter Final) Leeds 14 Wakefield 8
1947 (Semi-Final) Leeds 21 Wakefield 0
(at Fartown, Huddersfield)
1943 (Quarter Final, Second Leg) Leeds 10 Wakefield 8
1943 (Quarter Final, First Leg) Wakefield 5 Leeds 8
1942 (Round 2, Second Leg) Leeds 8 Wakefield 0
1942 (Round 2, First Leg) Wakefield 3 Leeds 0
1937 (Round 1) Wakefield 2 Leeds 0
1924 (Round 2) Leeds 0 Wakefield 6
1914 (Round 2) Wakefield 9 Leeds 8
1912 (Round 1) Wakefield 10 Leeds 2
1903 (Round 2) Wakefield 0 Leeds 13

JAKE CONNOR needs 17 points to reach 1,000 for his career.
– 251 for Leeds Rhinos (2025-2026)
– 273 for Huddersfield Giants (2013-2016, 2023-2024)
– 417 for Hull FC (2017-2022)
– 4 for Oldham (2015, dual-registration)
– 4 for Batley Bulldogs (2014, loan)
– 34 for England (2018)
(0 for Combined Nations All Stars, 2021)
(0 for Great Britain, 2019)

RYAN HALL needs one try to reach 250 for Leeds Rhinos.
​- (362 appearances, 2007-2018, 2025-2026)