Four fit-again players provide fillip for Leeds ahead of Falcons contest

Fly-half Lachlan Mackay, promising lock Tom Denton, fellow second-row forward Jonathan Pendlebury and centre Scott Barrow have all recovered from varying injuries – the latter from a hernia operation that should have sidelined him for longer – to report for duty for Saturday’s relegation showdown at Newcastle Falcons.

The tonic is tempered by the news that captain Marco Wentzel is still not 100 per cent following a calf strain sustained last month.

But head coach Neil Back will keep his South Africa-born powerhouse in the reckoning right up until the final moments.

“Marco has been incredible this season. You think he’s dead and buried and then he’s like Lazarus, he comes back from the dead,” joked Back, who was in relaxed mood yesterday despite the magnitude of the forthcoming game.

“He’s very professional, he gives his all to the team, and whether he’s involved or not he’ll be a huge influence on the performance at the weekend, as he has been all season.

“As for the other guys, I’m not used to having lots of players available. Four are back so the guys who are in the team at the minute know they have to put in good performances to stay in the team. And that’s really encouraging.

“Tom Denton is one that is very close, and with the doubt over Marco, we have got options this week which is encouraging for the team.

“From a player’s perspective, you want to stay in the team, so it’s a bit more added to the pot. The fact that we need to win to stay in the Premiership makes for a good recipe.”