Keinhorst closing in on return for Rhinos
AS WELL AS striving to ease his back injury in time for tonight’s game, Huddersfield Giants star Jermaine McGillvary has also been welcoming a newborn into the fold this week.
The England winger’s partner Hannah gave birth to their third son in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
McGillvary, hoping to face Widnes Vikings after missing Sunday’s 36-20 loss at Salford due to a back spasm, said: “It’s all good. He’s just eating and sleeping and doing what babies do.
“We’ve got two boys already so knew what to expect but that’s me finished now.
“I always wanted a big family like when I was growing up.
“I lived with my grandma and grandad who had five kids and that was a good upbringing. We’ve three now and that’s fine by me.”
McGillvary, 29, pulled out last week on the eve of the game after aggravating a back problem in training.
Without him, Giants suffered a first loss in five matches and they are suddenly in need of wins again to make sure they are not dragged into the Qualifiers.
Huddersfield are eighth, just two points ahead of Catalans Dragons with only three games remaining before the split.
“The back’s a bit stiff still but I’m in the squad and I’ll go down, warm up and see how it goes,” he said. “It’s looking good. I’ve had some good physio and hopefully I’ll get a game. I’d like to be able to lend my experience as it’s a crucial time of the season.
“We really need points to cement ourselves in the Eight. Our destiny is in our own hands no matter what Catalans or Warrington do.
“If we don’t make it we’ve only ourselves to blame; we’ve put ourselves in a good position to make the Eight but must now perform.”
Widnes, in 11th and set to announce some “major news” today, are already all but confirmed in the Qualifers.
However, McGillvary, with 13 tries in 17 games this season, insisted: “I’ve seen their last few performances and they are actually playing some really good rugby.
“They don’t look like a side near bottom, more a good midtable team. Denis Betts is a good coach and they’ll be dangerous.” LEEDS RHINOS’ Jimmy Keinhorst is looking forward to finally putting his three months of injury torment behind him.
The utility player, who had started to secure himself in the left centre slot before suffering a freak hand injury at Warrington Wolves, could return against Hull FC next week.
There is a chance he could be named today in Brian McDermott’s 19-man squad for Sunday’s trip to Salford Red Devils but that might be too soon for his Super League return.
“It’s been 12 weeks since the operation,” said Keinhorst, who tore a tendon in a finger making a tackle. “To go straight into the Salford game might be a bit of a stretch so I am potentially looking at the week after against Hull.
“According to the surgeon it takes a full 12 weeks to heal. Anything before and there’s a potential of it re-rupturing.
“I have just had to take care of that, but I have been doing what I can running-wise and so on. I have been speaking to Mac (coach Brian McDermott) and there might be a possibility of going to Featherstone Rovers for a game to get match fitness, but we will see what happens.”
Leeds will be glad to see the 26-year-old back in their lineup given the problems they have faced replacing him. Liam Sutcliffe, Stevie Ward, Ash Handley and Ryan Hall have all filled in at times as well as Joel Moon, the Australian who has traditionally operated there but has largely been playing stand-off this term.
“It has been a bit of a slog, especially for something so little as my little finger,” continued Keinhorst. “It has been a bit frustrating at times with what I can do in terms of my recovery and re-hab and what I can do in the gym. “
Meanwhile, Leeds half-back Cory Aston, who has spent much of this season at Featherstone Rovers, has joined Bradford Bulls on a month’s loan.