Hull FC v Leeds Rhinos: Radford is happy to go with Michaels for Hull

The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission announced last Friday they had obtained an arrest warrant for the 27-year-old former Gold Coast Titans player as part of their investigation into drugs trafficking.

This will be served the next time he returns to his homeland as part of a crisis that has engulfed the sport Down Under, current Kangaroos stars Greg Bird and David Taylor already stood down by Gold Coast due to their alleged involvement.

Ex-Leeds player Joe Vickery is another implicated but Radford says Michaels – who joined from the Titans last winter – will be treated as innocent unless anything changes.

“At the minute with him, it is a report in a paper,” he said.

“There has been no contact from the NRL, Gold Coast (Titans), Queensland Crime Commission and no contact from the ‘Old Bill’ over here so at present it’s a press report in the Courier Mail.

“Until that changes I think Steve could do with a game to be honest so we’ll continue putting him up for selection unless something changes and puts a different light on the matter.”

Michaels debuted in last month’s 7-6 loss to Warrington and played on dual-registration for Doncaster against Featherstone, but not in Hull’s 32-28 defeat at Salford on Saturday.

He is in the 19-man squad for tonight’s game, however, and after Radford arrived at training yesterday to be met by a raft of late injury concerns, looks set to play.

Asked about the state of the former Brisbane Broncos player’s focus, the coach said: “I could have done with a game if I was Steve. I can only put myself in that position. I think it (playing) is probably a good thing for him I suppose.

“There was no difficult decision about leaving someone out. That was made this morning when I got the injury report at 9am.”

On the positive side, Radford – whose team have lost twice and narrowly since an impressive 19-0 opening-day win at Huddersfield – is able to recall captain Gareth Ellis after a rib injury.

But he admitted: “We’re waiting on a few.

“We’ve had a couple of late, not drop-outs, but queries this morning so we’ll give them as long as we can and see how we go.

“It’s sort of to be expected when it’s such a short turnaround from Saturday but when it’s this late in the day it’s not ideal preparation.”

Hull have an impressive recent record against Leeds, especially at home where they have not lost the fixture since 2011.

But their visitors have started the season with three wins and Radford conceded: “It is a massive challenge for us. They are three from three, averaging 35 points per game and it’s Leeds.

“That says it all. It’s fair to say we’ll be underdogs going in to Thursday’s game.

“It’s the Sky fixture, too, and we’re going to have to bat above our weight to get a result.

“Hopefully, that record does give confidence to the players but it’s a different group this time around and we have to perform.

“Everyone needs to put a real performance in as they are a quality side and have been consistently for arguably the last 10 years.”

The fixture sees Tom Briscoe, the England winger who scored 90 tries in 147 games for the Black and Whites before moving to Leeds at the end of 2013, make his second return to the KC Stadium.

Radford, who not only coached the 24 year-old but played alongside him for Hull, believes he has got even better at Headingley.

“Tom’s looking outstanding,” he said. “He was an outstanding player here but his last 12 months, with his contract, he wasn’t the happiest man on the planet and I think that reflected in his performances.

“But the shackles seem to be off at the moment and he’s scoring tries for fun.

“With him, Ryan Hall, Kallum Watkins and their back field … I spoke about it last year as arguably three of the best back three in the league.

“So our kick-chase has to be good and our early energy from marker has to be good too as they can cause you problems.”

** See a video of Lee Radford previewing the Leeds game at.......***