Lee Smith loaned to Wakefield

Lee Smith will join Wakefield on loan from Leeds for a month immediately.

Smith trained with the squad on Thursday, and will be available for selection for the Wildcats’ game with Wigan.

Wakefield coach Richard Agar brought Smith over to increase competition in the backs, and provide cover for the injured Dean Collis and Vince Mellars.

Agar said: “When we knew he wasn’t going to feature this weekend it coincided with Dean Collis being out with a fracture in his shoulder and Vince Mellars being diagnosed with a detached retina which needs surgery.

“To lose both our centres is a fair chunk out of our team, and Lee has not being getting the amount of football that he wants and a player of his calibre is too good not to be playing week-in, week-out in Super League. If it’s not with Leeds then we are in a position to offer him a crack with us.”

Smith said he was delighted to be finally getting some game time, after appearing to fall out of favour at the Rhinos despite playing and scoring in three of the club’s Grand Finals.

He said: “I have came here to get some game time, I had a word with Brian McDermott and he said I wouldn’t be involved this week and maybe not in the semi-final next week either, so I thought it was a good opportunity to get back playing out on the field.

“It is obviously different here, you train at the ground and the gym is totally different to Leeds but you make the most of what you have got. The lads are all the same and I think you would find anywhere in rugby the lads are the same, it’s been good.”

Smith has not ruled out a permanent transfer to the Wildcats, but such a move would more than likely come at the end of the current season.

Smith said: “My contract is up this year and this obviously gives me a chance to get out and play and put me in the shop window. I can see what’s out there, the season is coming to an end soon and I will be looking to either stay at Leeds or look elsewhere.”