Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos: Donald in surprise return for Rhinos to torment Bulls

Super League: LEEDS RHINOS winger Scott Donald is set for a surprise return against Bradford Bulls tomorrow – the club he has tormented throughout his Super League career.

The Australian has not featured since Leeds' win over Salford in mid-February after undergoing shoulder surgery.

But the experienced former Manly star is back ahead of schedule for the derby at Odsal and hands the champions a significant boost.

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They were weakened after full-back Brent Webb saw his appeal against a two-match ban fail on Thursday but winger Lee Smith is expected to switch and now Donald, who has missed their last 13 games, can resume on his usual right flank to face the side he has regularly dealt crushing blows.

He has scored nine tries in his last 11 games against the arch-rivals and twice stunned Bradford at Odsal in 2007.

Donald scored a brace in both encounters there that year, firstly to steal a 18-14 win and then to earn a 16-16 draw to frustrate Steve McNamara's side.

The previous season he struck another double to claim a 26-24 success at Headingley and Bradford's delight at seeing the absence of Webb will certainly be tempered by the prolific 30-year-old's return.

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Leeds coach Brian McClennan said: "We supported Brent in his decision to appeal the two-game ban but we have to move on. Fortunately, Scott Donald is available again and very keen to get back out there. We will obviously be without Jamie Peacock as well after he picked up his knee injury last week but the forwards did a great job for the majority of the Warrington match to deal with his loss and we'll go into the Bradford game looking to continue that level of performance."

After defeating high-flying Warrington, seventh-placed Leeds, who are also missing former England scrum-half Rob Burrow and Kiwi Ali Lauitiiti, know victory will see them usurp their in-form opponents from fourth on points difference and secure their highest position of a troubled season.

But their hosts have received a key lift themselves with the return of their own former Manly hero, Matt Orford.

The influential scrum-half has missed the last two games since suffering an injury in the loss against Crusaders at Murrayfield, Bradford's only defeat in the last nine fixtures.

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However, the pivotal player returns to take control and hopefully make amends for their last contest against Leeds in April.

In his first taste of the famous derby fixture, Orford was outstanding as his side established a 20-6 lead against the champions only to let it slip late on and finish with a 20-20 draw.

"It was disappointing," he recalled. "But to Leeds' credit, they never gave up and we learned a good lesson in that we must control games more when they get tight.

"Both teams have grown since then and are playing better football so it'll be tough."

Bradford are without full-back Brett Kearney (foot) and England back-row Jamie Langley is also out.