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Leigh injury update delivered ahead of Leeds clash as Lazarus Vaalepu loan extended Robbie Mulhern warms up ahead of a Leigh Leopards game in 2026 Leigh will welcome Jack Hughes back as they face Leeds Rhinos, with the Leopards not expecting much change within their squad for the trip to Headingley. Veteran utility Hughes missed last weekend’s home victory against York Knights through a tight quad, with front-rower Robbie Mulhern forced off late on through a back spasm. Both though will feature on Thursday night against the Rhinos, all being well, with Leigh making the trip to West Yorkshire on the back of 12 wins in their last 15 games. A Leeds side that top the ladder at present lie in wait, with Brad Arthur’s side the favourites to go on and clinch the League Leaders’ Shield as the end of a strong regular season approaches. Leigh injury update delivered ahead of Leeds clash Leigh’s 21-man squad also includes AJ Towse, who has been out since May with a strained hamstring. He isn’t expected to be involved against Leeds though, as head coach Adrian Lam explained in Wednesday afternoon’s pre-match press conference: “We’ve got to make a decision on AJ, he probably won’y play for us this week. “He needs some time out, so it’s whether we make the decision to keep him for another week rather than loan him out and put him at risk. That decision will be made by tomorrow (Thursday). “Keanan Brand is a week away, and Jack Hughes is coming back in to play for us, which is a positive. “We’re going to give Robbie (Mulhern) right up until kick-off to be right with that (back spasm). He hasn’t trained this week, but he’s expected to play. “It’s difficult when it’s a six-day turnaround, the hard part is getting opportunities to train. We’ve only had two small sessions in the end. “There won’t be too many changes from last week’s team.” Outside-back Brand’s absence dates back to March, suffering an ankle injury in a Challenge Cup tie against Hull FC which eventually required reconstruction surgery. As the Ireland international nears his long-awaited return, boss Lam said: “He (Brand) was the leading try-scorer for us before he got injured, and he’s had a couple of good years for us. “He’s best mates with Umyla (Hanley) on that right-hand side, and he’s been great with the ball in his carries. He’s hard to get a hold of, but him and Umyla have saved us a lot of tries, too, over the last two or three years. “Charners (Josh Charnley) is there doing a great job, leading the try-scoring and playing an outstanding part for us. “There are a couple of bodies back in the picture this week and next, and we’re excited for that.” Lazarus Vaalepu loan extended Elsewhere, Lam confirmed the news that mid-season recruit Lazarus Vaalepu’s loan with Championship outfit Oldham had been extended for another week Having struggled to get up to speed in the four games he played for Leigh after arriving from Australia at the back end of June, Vaalepu was sent on a week-long loan to the Roughyeds and featured for them last weekend. He will remain with the Championship side for another week, with Alan Kilshaw’s men hosting red-hot Championship title favourites London Broncos on Sunday afternoon at Boundary Park. Lam said: “We’ve just got a plan for him to get more minutes and get a bit fitter through that conditioning. “With us, he was only playing a small block before half-time or two small blocks. “He needs to work hard and get some big minutes in there before anything further changes.” WATCH THE LRL PODCAST!