Adrian Lam provides latest on injured forward as Leigh boss highlights key loss ahead of Salford

Leigh forward Ben Nakubuwai will be given every opportunity to fight for fitness ahead of their Super League Rival Round tie with Salford, says head coach Adrian Lam.

Nakubuwai, 27, left the field in the Battle of the Borough against Wigan last week with a knee injury, with initial fears that he could miss up to a month of action.

He has featured in all seven of Leigh’s games so far this season, and Lam admits it’s better news than expected, although a specific timeframe can’t be confirmed.

The Leopards take on Paul Rowley’s Salford at the Leigh Sports Village this Saturday at 2:30pm, live on Sky Sports.

“Ben has got small strain of a medial ligament on his knee,” Lam confirmed to Love Rugby League.

“We’re going to give him right up until kick-off to be right for the game.

“He is in doubt and probably 60/40 chance of not playing.

“We’ve got to make sure that we give him every opportunity.

“It is better news, but these sort of injuries are week-to-week.

“He might get through to Friday and we think he’s okay to play, but sometimes these injuries go from one week into two weeks and into a third.

“We’re hoping that we can manage that, but it’s all based to how he responds to training.”

Gareth O’Brien a massive loss says Adrian Lam

Leigh will be without starting full-back Gareth O’Brien for their Round Eight fixture with the Red Devils due to head injury protocols.

O’Brien, 31, failed his head injury assessment in the defeat to Wigan in the first half following a late tackle by opposition centre Jake Wardle.

Lam paid tribute to the former Castleford outside-back, highlighting his impact on the Leopards so far in 2023.

He continued: “I think Gaz has been sort of overlooked by some people of the rugby league world here in the UK.

“I know Josh Charnley being on that left edge and equalling the try-scoring a week ago, Gareth O’Brien has had a big hand in that.

“He’s played a big part in how we’ve attacked in the first quarter of the season.

“He’s been very influential with the way we’ve scored tries.

“He’s going to be missed heavily.

“Having said that, Zak Hardaker is back in his favourite position and he’s a player who is the ultimate competitor.

“Two different versions of what we get at full-back, we’ve just got to make sure we play to suit these players, being Zak this week.”

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