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Page last updated at 11:33 GMT, Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Zak Hardaker joins Leeds Rhinos injury list

Zak Hardaker
Hardaker signed for Leeds from Featherstone Rovers in October

Young Leeds winger Zak Hardaker could be out for up to two months after an accident at home, in which he suffered a broken finger.

The 19-year-old ex-Featherstone Rovers man scored on his debut in the 30-16 home defeat by St Helens on Saturday.

But he has now added to Leeds' injury woes and needs an operation, which will sideline him for six to eight weeks.

Leeds already have two wingers, Ben Jones-Bishop and Lee Smith on their growing injury list.

They are also without Brett Delaney (ankle ligaments), Ryan Bailey and Kylie Leuluai (pectoral tear), as well as long-term absentees Danny McGuire and Jamie Peacock, who have both been out since the end of last season with knee injuries.

We are disappointed for Zak Hardaker as he was impressive last week against St Helens

Leeds coach Brian McDermott

But Leeds coach Brian McDermott is hoping that the treatment room might be starting to clear.

"We are monitoring the fitness of Lee Smith, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey and Kylie Leuluai this week," he said. "All four have an outside chance of being involved at Wakefield this weekend.

"It certainly helps that we are playing on Sunday this week as that will give us as long as possible for them to prove their fitness.

"But we are disappointed for Zak as he was impressive last week against St Helens.

"Unfortunately, as in all walks of life, sometimes these things happen but the timing of it is sad for Zak as he had a chance to stake a claim in the team."



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