Quins v Leeds: Team News
Harlequins RL captain Rob Purdham is set for a surprise return from injury against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.
Last Updated: 04/08/07 12:28pm
Harlequins RL v Leeds Rhinos
Twickenham Stoop
Sunday August 5, KO 12.30pm - Live on Sky Sports 3
Harlequins RL captain Rob Purdham is set to make a surprise comeback in Sunday's engage Super League game against Leeds Rhinos.
Purdham has not played since May, and was not expected to return until next season, due to a back injury.
But the loose forward's rehabilitation has gone better than expected and he has been named in the 18-man squad to face Leeds.
"Robert has been very good at training over the past two weeks and has trained particularly hard this last week," head coach Brian McDermott told the club's official website.
"For a team with a lot of injuries the loss of Robert to our squad has had the greatest impact.
"He's our captain first and foremost and he's a man that leads by actions and not words. When you aren't on the pitch you can't do that. We are very much looking forward to having him back."
Leeds Rhinos coach Tony Smith looks set to keep faith with the players beaten by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in their last Super League game on July 20.
Smith has named an 18-man squad that includes Nick Scruton plus the 17 players who formed the match day squad against the Wildcats.
Harlequins RL squad: Bannister, Gafa, Grayshon, Hill, Hopkins, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, McLinden, Orr, Purdham, Randall, Rinaldi, R. Sheriffe, T. Smith, Sykes, Temata, Paul, Wells
Leeds squad: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield (c), Lauitiiti, Thackray, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke, Tansey, Hall