Leeds Rhinos' "Iron Man" James Donaldson already in after broken back

The former Bradford Bulls and Hull KR back-row has shown plenty of endurance and courage throughout his career given he has already battled back from three knee reconstructions.

Donaldson’s grit and determination are well-known and, typically, despite suffering this latest worrying injury, he is already back in contention after being named in the initial 21-man squad for the Super League game against Wakefield Trinity at Emerald Headingley.

He has been missing since being carried off against Huddersfield Giants on August 2 - Rhinos’ first game back after lockdown.

But the 28-year-old is training pain-free and Agar said: “He is an iron man.

“He has come back in great shape from Covid and put himself in contention after a broken back.

“That sounds quite reckless on our part, but (the injury) probably sounds worse than it was.

“He is getting a scan and we need to know it is fully healed.

“If there is any suggestion that he is still in the healing process we won’t consider him.

“We feel we don’t need to because we’ve got Jarrod O’Connor in there who has a chance of making his debut and Alex Mellor coming back too.

“We have got plenty of alternatives in terms of that position, but Donno has done everything right.

“He has recovered, he is training great and he’s not feeling a thing.

“We just need to tick a little medical box to see if we can actually consider him for a spot in the 17.”

Former Huddersfield back-row Mellor returns after missing two games with a knee injury and he comes into contention, too, along with 19-year-old loose forward O’Connor who could debut.