Leeds v Hull FC: Super League preview
Last Updated: 15/04/16 7:03pm
Liam Sutcliffe insists the Leeds players are "raring to go" as they look to arrest their alarming slump when in-form Hull visit Headingley on Friday night.
The Super League champions are second from bottom after winning just two of their first 10 matches and their last three defeats have been at the hands of last year's bottom four teams.
Sutcliffe, one of only three players to have started every match so far as injuries continue to devastate Brian McDermott's squad, says there were signs in last Saturday's 14-10 defeat at a much-improved Salford that the Rhinos are close to turning the corner.
"It was very disappointing to lose again but there were many positives, especially from where we've been at the last couple of weeks," Sutcliffe said.
"We're not panicking. We know we're not in a great position but everyone is still confident in the team's ability and what we can do.
"You can't dwell too much on the past because it won't do you any good. You beat yourself up at the weekend but, come Monday morning, everyone is ready and raring to go again. It will come good."
The 21-year-old Sutcliffe was earmarked as their heir-apparent to Kevin Sinfield but, after making his comeback from a seven-month absence with a knee injury in the opening game of the season, admits things have not gone to plan.
He found himself pushed out to the threequarters for the last two games after Ryan Hall, Tom Briscoe and Joel Moon joined the club's injury list but will be back at stand-off against Hull following skipper Danny McGuire's return to the sidelines with a quad problem.
"I was really looking forward to lining up with Danny McGuire this year," Sutcliffe said. "Getting injured in the first game didn't help, plus I was trying to get back into the swing of things.
"There's a whole bunch of things that's not gone right, personally and team wise, but hopefully we can pick up."
Leeds have won their last nine home meetings with Hull, whose last win at Headingley was in September, 2007, but Lee Radford's men are riding high and aiming for a sixth successive win.
However, they will still be without the injured Gareth Ellis and Mark Minichiello, while Carlos Tuimavave is also out after suffering a groin injury in last week's warm-up.
Leeds Rhinos squad: Hardaker, Watkins, Burrow, Galloway, Falloon, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sutcliffe, Delaney, Singleton, Garbutt, Keinhorst, Achurch, Mullally, Handley, Golding, Baldwinson, Lilley, Smith.
Hull FC squad: Bowden, Fonua, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Manu, Michaels, Naughton, Palea'aesina, Pritchard, Pryce, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Taylor, Thompson, Watts, Washbrook, Yeaman.
Watch Leeds v Hull FC from 7.30pm on Friday on Sky Sports 2. Watch the action for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.
