Leeds v Catalans: Teams
Ashley Gibson and Kallum Watkins are vying to replace Lee Smith on Friday night.
Last Updated: 26/03/09 1:00pm
Ashley Gibson and Kallum Watkins are vying to replace Lee Smith at centre for the visit of Catalans Dragons to Leeds on Friday night.
England international Smith has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a knee infection caused by an insect bite, while speculation continues to link the youngster with a move to rugby union.
The 22-year-old, who can play at centre or full-back, is said to have undergone surgery on Wednesday to drain an abscess in the infected joint and is still in hospital recovering.
Leeds will also be without Ryan Bailey after the prop picked up a groin strain in training, but Samoan international second rower Ali Lauitiiti is back after a hamstring injury.
Lauitiiti missed Leeds' first Super League defeat of the season at St Helens last time out and the Rhinos had looked untouchable up to that point.
The champions completed a home and away double over the French side last season as well and will certainly expect to bounce back with a win at Headingley.
Mixed news
Catalans head to West Yorkshire on the back of four straight defeats, meanwhile, and are still without influential centre Adam Mogg.
Forward Jamal Fakir is also out and loose forward Gregory Mounis faces a late fitness check on a thigh injury, but the Dragons pack is boosted by the return of second-row pair Dane Carlaw and Jason Croker.
Carlaw has missed the last four reversals against Bradford, Wakefield, Castleford and Hull FC with a knee injury, but hopes will be high that he can help inspire another victory like the one at Warrington in February.
That 40-20 triumph against the Wolves represents the Dragons' only points of the campaign so far and they look set for a really tough test against the league leaders.
Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Gibson, Watkins, Allan.
Catalans Dragons: Baile, Bell, Bentley, Bird, Bosc, Carlaw, Casty, Croker, Duport, Elima, Ferriol, Gossard, Greenshields, Guisset, McGuire, Mounis, Pelo, Perry, Ryles.