Kirke clear of serious injury

Leeds forward Ian Kirke has been cleared of any serious injury following a sickening clash of heads with Luke O’Donnell during the Rhinos defeat to Huddersfield on Sunday.

Play was held up for more than 10 minutes while Kirke was treated and removed from the pitch following the incident, which resulted in the Giants forward being shown the red card by referee Thierry Alibert.

Kirke, 31, was taken to hospital from the ground but was later dischared after checks cleared him of any serious injury.

Despite their numerical advantage, the Rhinos crashed to a 48-24 defeat in Kirke’s absence, and now must pick themselves up for a play-off game against Wakefield at Headingley on Saturday.

Kirke, who has previously played for Hull KR, Dewsbury and York, has made 22 appearances for the Rhinos so far this season.