Super League preview: Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls
Leeds have named an unchanged 19-man squad for their derby clash with Bradford at Headingley on Thursday.
Last Updated: 28/03/13 7:19pm
Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has stuck with the same group for players for a fifth straight week, although his selection never took to the pitch last week as the clash against Wakefield was called off.
Carl Ablett and Brett Delaney were doubts for that contest but have now been given a chance to fully recover from injury. Winger Ben Jones-Bishop and full-back Zak Hardaker remain on the sidelines.
Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield expects to enjoy some fervent home support in a clash which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 8pm.
"I think it's a special game for everyone involved, being a derby game," Sinfield told the Rhinos' official website.
"I certainly remember, over the last 10-15 years, some of the packed Headingleys and packed Odsals that we've seen. Hopefully we can replicate that on Thursday.
"There have been some fantastic players who have played in this derby over the years and to play in another one is certainly special."
Bradford are boosted by the return of centres Matty Blythe and Keith Lulia, while forward Jamie Langley also returns to Francis Cummins' 19-man squad.
Blythe and Langley have both been out for two weeks while Lulia missed the 30-10 defeat to Catalan Dragons last time with a dead leg.
Adam O'Brien and Jobe Murphy drop out to make way for Blythe and Langley. Lulia was named in the initial 19 last weekend but did not make it into the match-day squad, meaning only two changes have been made.
Goal-kicking winger Jamie Foster is expected to shake off the ankle knock he sustained in the loss to the Dragons as the Bulls attempt to move three points clear of West Yorkshire rivals Leeds.
Leeds squad: Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Moore, Vickery.
Bradford squad: Donaldson, Sidlow, Langley, Manuokafoa, Bateman, Diskin, Kearney, Scruton, L'Estrange, Purtell, Lulia, Whitehead, Kear, Sammut, Addy, Olbison, Walker, Blythe, Foster.