Mikolaj Oledzki will miss the rest of the season after being forced to undergo surgery on a foot injury.
The 22-year-old, who has enjoyed a huge season that saw him make his debut for England, suffered the injury in the club's recent defeat to Warrington.
It was hoped that Oledzki would be able to avoid surgery, with head coach Richard Agar admitting he had his 'fingers and toes crossed' that he would not need to go under the knife.
But further consultation has forced the Polish-born powerhouse to have an operation, which has brought a premature end to his season.
Oledzki took to Instagram to confirm that the surgery had been a success.
It's a huge blow for the Rhinos' play-off and Grand Final aspirations, with Oledzki being one of the club's star performers throughout the season.
Agar had hoped to get Oledzki on the field with new captain Matt Prior and Zane Tetevano, with the trio forming a formidable partnership earlier in the season.
But Tetevano's return has now coincided with Oledzki's absence in the latest injury woe suffered at Headingley this year.
The Rhinos have undergone a miserable run of injuries and now face further disruption without one of their top stars.
Leeds have already faced long spells without Ash Handley, Harry Newman, Luke Gale, Rob Lui and Tetevano this season, while fullback Jack Walker has missed the entire season.
