Rhinos are aiming to finish one step higher this time

Victory at Salford City Reds this evening would all but seal fourth spot given they are already six points ahead of St Helens with just four games remaining.

Leeds, of course, have won the title in each of the last two seasons since McDermott took charge but both times from the invidious position of fifth.

To make their annual surge from the less strenuous slot of fourth, knowing they will have a second bite at the play-offs if they fail at the first hurdle, will be a welcome change of itinerary.

However, first the champions must deal with Salford and they will read little into their impressive previous record.

Leeds – who yesterday released Australian winger Joe Vickery – have won 17 consecutive away games there since losing 21-12 in a 1993 Regal Trophy tie.

Neither have struggling Salford fared much better on the road, their solitary win against Leeds in Super League coming at Headingley four years ago.

Currently second bottom, it would be easy to see how tonight’s game could be another forgone conclusion yet McDermott insisted: “They will be fired up to face us, I am sure.

“They beat Catalan a couple of weeks back and have shown on occasions they can trouble teams.

“Whilst they might not be able to make the top eight, they will want to finish the season strongly to give them some momentum to go into next season which is a big campaign for all clubs.

“There’s ex-Leeds players in their ranks, too, so I’m sure they’ll be up for a big performance.”

McDermott is without Brett Delaney (knee) and Joel Moon (foot) after the Australians injured themselves at London, both facing up to a month out.

England scrum-half Danny McGuire, however, could be back in as little as three weeks’ time following his broken leg.

Leeds stand-off Kevin Sinfield, meanwhile, seems to break a new record every week.

Just a fortnight after making his 500th career appearance, the England captain will become only the third player to reach 400 Super League games tonight.

He follows former Headingley team-mate Keith Senior (413) and St Helens’ Paul Wellens (400), who achieved the same feat at Catalan last Saturday.

Vickery, 23, joined from Gold Coast Titans on a one-year deal last winter after initially impressing on trial.

He played in the World Club Challenge but has not featured since injuring his ankle in May and leaves having scored one try in 10 appearances.

Hull KR have given their hooker Keal Carlile, 23, a new two-year deal while untried Castleford Tigers youngster Ben Reynolds, 19, has signed again until the end of 2015.