Adam Cuthbertson’s injury withdrawal leaves Leeds Rhinos with a lack of experience for trip to Catalans Dragons
![Adam Cuthbertson, in action against Salford last month. PIC: James Hardisty](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_107073781.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Adam Cuthbertson, in action against Salford last month. PIC: James Hardisty](/img/placeholder.png)
The Australian suffered an ankle injury during last Friday’s home loss to London Broncos.
Furner will name his initial 19 for the clash with Catalans Dragons tomorrow, but said: “He won’t be available this week.
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Hide Ad“We’re not sure of the extent at the moment. I will leave that to the medical staff to see how bad it is.”
![Leeds Rhinos head coach Dave Furner. PIC: Tony Johnson](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_107073773.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Leeds Rhinos head coach Dave Furner. PIC: Tony Johnson](/img/placeholder.png)
Cuthbertson’s fellow forwards Carl Ablett (ankle) and Dom Crosby (ankle and knee) have yet to play this year following off-season surgery.
Ablett was due to make his comeback against Hull two weeks ago, but withdrew after the warm-up.
“I thought maybe Carl might have been back [this week], but he doesn’t seem to be,” Furner said.
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Hide Ad“He’s back on the training park, but doesn’t seem to be taking a trick at the moment.
![Carl Ablett. PIC: James Hardisty](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/legacy_ash_107074588.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Carl Ablett. PIC: James Hardisty](/img/placeholder.png)
“Dom was seeing another specialist last week to see where he’s at.
“I can’t wait to have a look at what Dom and Carl bring to the squad.
“You want to have a look at what they’ve got and what they can add to the squad.
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Hide Ad“Certainly a bit of experience would help, but I am always very confident of how the team is prepared and going out there and performing the best we can.”
Captain Kallum Watkins has missed two games because of bruising on a knee and Furner said: “He is coming on pretty good, which is a good sign.
“He has had a little bit of a setback for two weeks, but it’s more important to get him right and ready to go.”
The coach confirmed Jamie Jones-Buchanan came through his first competitive game of the season last week, following a nerve problem in a leg, with no ill-effects.
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Hide Ad“It was good to see Jamie back on the field,” he said. “He will be better for the run. He hadn’t played this year, other than a trial game and it was good to have him back on the park, that experience. For him it was just about getting through the game. I think you’ll see even better this week.”