Leeds will leave it late over forward

IN-FORM FORWARD Stevie Ward will be given “as long as possible” to prove his fitness for tomorrow’s Super League Grand Final, say Leeds Rhinos.

Ward seemed to have been ruled out of the Old Trafford derby against Castleford Tigers after suffering a dislocated shoulder in last Friday’s semi-final win over Hull.

He is still rated as “unlikely” to feature in tomorrow’s side, despite being a surprise inclusion in Leeds’ initial 19man squad.

Ward, 23, missed the 2015 Grand Final win over Wigan due to a knee injury and damaged a shoulder against Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford three years earlier.

The England World Cup hopeful was treated in hospital after the semi-final and has been assessed by orthopaedic surgeon Lennard Funk, who is a specialist in sports-related shoulder injuries.

“The prognosis is it is not as severe as we thought it might be, in terms of the longterm effects,” Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said.

“There is some hope, he is not without a chance.

“His mental strength is unquestionable.

“If anybody is capable of coming through this, Stevie has the mental strength and ability to do something quite remarkable.”

Jimmy Keinhorst, who can play in the centres or backrow, is on stand-by to come into the side if Ward is ruled out.

Ashton Golding, who was dropped last week to make way for 18-year-old full-back Jack Walker, is also included in Rhinos’ initial 19.

The only Leeds players unavailable due to injury are prop Keith Galloway (Achilles) and back-rower Brett Delaney, who damaged a hamstring two weeks ago.