Bulls v Rhinos: Teams
Leeds Rhinos winger Scott Donald will make his return from a shoulder surgery in Sunday's derby against Bradford Bulls.
Last Updated: 23/05/10 10:39am
Leeds Rhinos winger Scott Donald will make his return from a shoulder surgery in Sunday's derby against Bradford Bulls.
The Australian has missed the last 13 matches after picking up the injury in the fourth game of the season against Salford.
His return will help the champions offset the loss of full-back Brent Webb through suspension, with the versatile Lee Smith switching from the wing berth normally occupied by Donald.
"The medical staff have been brilliant with me and made sure that my shoulder has fully recovered," said Donald.
"I am not the best spectator so it has been tough watching the boys from the sidelines but they have done well to get things back on track after a tough start to the season."
The Rhinos are without prop Jamie Peacock, second rower Ali Lauitiiti and scrum-half Rob Burrow through injury.
Orford returns
Bradford welcome back influential half-back Matt Orford after he missed the away win at Wakefield last week due to a shoulder injury.
However coach Steve McNamara has been dealt a blow with the news that Brett Kearney has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
The Bulls are also still without Jamie Langley (quad), meaning loose forward Danny Addy and centre Jon Wardle are drafted in to the 19-man squad.
McNamara is hoping for a similar performance from the one his side managed in the 20-20 draw between the two rivals earlier in the season.
"I think our performance was good, it was probably a game we feel we should have won but a game we could have possibly lost as well," he said.
"It's what makes the Yorkshire derbies between Leeds and Bradford so exciting, the intensity and quality in general of the games involved.
"We got some momentum in the first half, we were pretty strong and looked like we were going to push on but momentum is a big thing in Rugby League and Leeds came strong in the last 20 minutes to post some points.
"It was one of those games that could have gone either way. I wasn't quite sure whether I was relieved to get a point or disappointed that we missed out on two."
Bradford squad: Addy, Reardon, Sheriffe, Kopczak, Lynch, Scruton, Menzies, Wardle, Godwin, L'Estrange, Halley, Nero, Donaldson, Sykes, Hall, Platt, Worrincy, Whitehead, Orford.
Leeds squad: Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield, Diskin, Eastwood, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Pitts, Ambler, Bush, Smith.