Leeds v Bradford - Teams

at Headingley, 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1

Last updated: 21st March 2008

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Leeds will be boosted by the return of winger Lee Smith and Great Britain hooker Matt Diskin for Thursday's derby clash with Bradford at Headingley.

Rhinos coach Brian McClennan has also included 18-year-old back rower Danny Allan in his 19-man squad, but prop Ryan Bailey will be missing due to a groin injury.

Allan, who was one of four players promoted to the first-team squad last week, joins Ben Kaye and Simon Worrall, who made their Super League debuts in last Friday's 48-0 win over Harlequins, in the reckoning for the Bulls match.

"With Danny Allan following in the footsteps of Luke Burgess, Ben Kaye and Simon Worrall, we are excited about bringing new people into the group," said McClennan.

"Each has earned their place on merit and it is great to give them their opportunity."

Bradford have recalled prop forward Craig Kopczak from his loan spell at Halifax in response to their injury crisis and he goes straight into coach Steve McNamara's squad.

Great Britain centre Paul Sykes, who has an elbow injury, and New Zealand winger Tame Tupou, who faces several weeks on the sidelines after straining medial knee ligaments in Bradford's win over Warrington on Sunday, have both joined the casualty list.

Forwards Joe Vagana, Glenn Morrison and Jamie Langley are on the long-term injury list and full-back Michael Platt today failed a fitness test on his injured hamstring even though he was named in McNamara's 19-strong squad.

Stand-off Iestyn Harris, who has missed out on selection for the last two weeks to Ben Jeffries, is again likely to start from the bench.

Leeds Rhinos squad: Webb, Donald, Senior, Smith, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Scruton, Tansey, Hall, Burgess, Allan, Kaye, Worrall.
Bradford Bulls squad: Tadulala, Newton, Halley, Feather, Platt, Deacon, Harris, Lynch, Evans, Hape, Solomona, Kopczak, Burgess, Nero, Godwin, Jeffries, Finnigan, Cook, James.