Wembley no-go a tragedy for Danny

RUGBY LEAGUE

LEEDS players have an added motivation to win a first Challenge Cup final in 13 years after playmaker Danny McGuire was ruled out of the Wembley showpiece.

The 29-year-old (above) is out for up to eight weeks with the knee injury he picked up in Friday’s win over Widnes.

He will now miss his side’s date with Warrington on August 25 and could also be a doubt for the end-of-season play-off campaign.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott says the need to win the final for McGuire is driving his players on.

“There’s that angle to take. While it won’t be in their minds all the time, there’ll be nothing better than handing him a medal at the end of it and taking photos with his brace on and the trophy,” said McDermott.

“That’s what you think about if you get the job done. They get on really well the players, they’re a good and tight group and they will all have Danny as a form of motivation.

“It’s big, he was going to have a good go, he was in the right frame of mind.

“We’ve been through a process and he was a part of that. It’s tragic. I bet he’s feeling wretched.

“I can’t tell you how he’s feeling, but I can only imagine what it’s like to have a Challenge Cup final appearance snatched from him.

“Everyone has rallied around him and spoken to him – but he’s a professional, he’s got it covered and he knows how to deal with it.

“He’ll deal with it in the right way, but it sure as hell hurts.”