Rhinos v Storm: Teams
Centre Brett Delaney is fit to play for Leeds against Melbourne, who have injury doubts over two players, on Sunday.
Last Updated: 27/02/10 7:16pm
Leeds have been given a major boost ahead of Sunday's World Club Challenge with the news that Brett Delaney will be fit to face Melbourne.
Centre Delaney injured his knee on his home debut for the Rhinos after joining the club on a three-year deal from the Gold Coast Titans.
The Australian missed last week's win over Salford at Headingley but has been cleared to play against his compatriots at Elland Road.
Delaney's inclusion in Leeds' 19-man squad means coach Brian McClennan can shift Kallum Watkins to the wing to replace Scott Donald, who has been ruled out for three months with a shoulder injury
Confident
"We were always confident he would be right," said McClennan. "Since he picked up the injury, he's come on really well.
Leeds are not expected to unveil their 17-man line-up until an hour before kick-off, as they look for a repeat result of two years ago.
Back in 2008 the Rhinos defeated the Storm 11-4 at the home of Leeds United to be crowned World Club champions for a second time.
However the reigning kings of Super League lost last time out in the event to the Manly Sea Eagles, going down 28-20 in front of a crowd of over 32,000.
Melbourne, who lifted the trophy in 2000 thanks to a 44-6 thrashing of St Helens, have travelled to England with a strong squad.
The NRL champions have also had the added boost of a run-out against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop last weekend.
Centre Greg Inglis suffered no reaction to his hip injury in the 40 minutes he played and the Australian international is expecting to go the distance against Leeds.
"I only played 40 minutes and the ground wasn't great but it was good to get out there and get the legs pumping," he said of the game against Quins.
"(The injury) held up fine, I'd trained on astro-turf and it was fine. I'll be playing a whole 80 minutes on Sunday."
Injury concerns
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has delayed naming his side due to injury concerns over prop Jeff Lima, who missed the warm-up game due to a bruised foot, and an unnamed back.
"We've got another training session tomorrow (Saturday) and we'll sort our side out from there," he said.
"We're pretty much settled on who we're going to go with depending on those injuries.
"One of them is Lima but the other guy we don't want to mention. He's got a shoulder problem. We're confident both will be okay."
Skipper Cameron Smith is expected to switch from his usual position of hooker to fill in at scrum-half in the absence of Cooper Cronk.
Melbourne have just five survivors from the last clash with Leeds including Ryan Hoffman, who scored their only try in the narrow defeat in '08.