Leeds Rhinos boss Richard Agar reluctant to reveal Challenge Cup squad to face St Helens

Agar is refusing to reveal if dual-code international Kyle Eastmond will finally make his Rhinos debut, away to the club he played for before switching to rugby union a decade ago.

Eastmond joined Rhinos more than a month ago, but was deemed “not ready” for their pre-season game or either of Leeds’ opening Betfred Super League fixtures.

Agar insisted he would have “no problems” putting Eastmond into his side for Saturday’s third-round tie but, speaking at an online press conference which also featured Saints coach Woolf, he stressed: “We’ll see how we get through this week.”

Agar said: “I am not going to give Kristian too many nudges and winks as to our line-up - I’ll let him work his way through some permutations.

“We had a fairly hectic game last weekend and we’ve got one or two question marks on ins and outs.

“We’ll work our way through the week and make a call later on, towards the weekend.”

Rhinos were without nine players, including five first-choice backs, for last Friday’s defeat by Castleford Tigers.

Agar will name a 21-man squad tomorrow, but confirmed nobody - other than possibly Eastmond - is expected back this week.

“They are probably a week or so away,” he said.

“I think it’s more likely the Wigan or Hull KR games are when we start to get quite a number of guys back.”

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