It has been nothing bad news on the injury front for Leeds Rhinos of late: but there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the shape of talented youngster Jack Broadbent.
Last month, Broadbent was ruled out for up to 12 weeks with an ankle injury, with the timeframe initially making him a serious doubt to return in 2021.
However, Rhinos coach Richard Agar has revealed that Broadbent is well ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation - and could yet return several weeks earlier than planned.
He ran the water on during the club's victory over Leigh Centurions, proving he is getting close to an early return.
"He's in front of his rehab schedule," Agar said.
"He's not ready to play yet so we'll be careful with him, but with Jack, Alex Sutcliffe a couple of weeks away and Matt Prior back from his seven-day Covid protocol after this week's game, fingers crossed we might have a couple of bodies coming back."
Broadbent's return, as well as that of Sutcliffe and Prior, will be a big boost for Agar in a week when more of his top stars were ruled out long-term.
Scrum-half Luke Gale and centre Konrad Hurrell are both major doubts to feature again for Leeds this season. Gale has a medial ligament injury in his knee, while Hurrell will spend the next four to six weeks in a protective boot after tearing his plantar fascia.
But Agar will at least be boosted by the return of three more first-team players this week: James Donaldson, King Vuniyayawa and Callum McLelland.
