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Super League preview: Leeds Rhinos v Widnes Vikings

Ben Jones-Bishop: Glad to be getting back to action

Leeds Rhinos can climb up to fourth in the table with a win over Widnes Vikings at Headingley.

The clash is a round four fixture which was postponed due to Leeds' involvement in the World Club Challenge.

Coach Brian McDermott has named Kevin Sinfield in his squad despite concerns over a thumb injury suffered on international duty.

The England skipper was withdrawn during Friday night's 30-10 win over the Exiles, citing a problem with his thumb, and said afterwards he thought he had dislocated it, although with no news of a diagnosis, the injury-hit Rhinos have called upon him.

With eight first-team players out, McDermott has also called up England Under-19 captain Jordan Baldwinson, while Ben Jones-Bishop is selected for the first time this year after his recovery from a lung condition.

Jones-Bishop, who scored 23 tries last season and featured in the World Club Challenge and Grand Final wins as well as the Challenge Cup final, cannot wait for Monday's clash.

He had thought he could be in line to play against Warrington in April, although he was devastated to learn that he would require another three months out of action.

"It has been a long time coming because it has been a tough six months however it is good to be at the end of it now and finally getting back in the team," he told the club's official website.

"I was cleared at Easter of any health issues but we saw a different specialist who recommended twelve more weeks on the medication, it has been a case of waiting and making sure I am in tip top condition before coming back." The Rhinos' other internationals - Zak Hardaker, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall and Jamie Jones-Buchanan - are included in the 19-man party.

Widnes lost narrowly 33-32 to Super League leaders Wigan last time out and head coach Denis Betts knows it will now be tough for his 11th-placed side against the reigning Grand Final winners.

He told the club's official website: "Leeds are a great side and you've only got to look at the last few years and see what they've achieved and where they are, to realise that.

"They've got so much quality and we know that we're going to have to go there and be at our best and be competitive. "From our perspective, Gaz Hock is available again, and his experience and fire-power will certainly help us out.

"Overall, we're starting to look pretty healthy now, but the tough one to take this week is that we may have lost Chris Dean for a lengthy period. He picked up an injury to his left shoulder in the Wigan game and he's due to have a scan on Monday which will tell us more.

"Chris is a big part of our group and his spell on the sidelines will certainly be a huge loss for us."

Leeds Rhinos: Ablett, Baldwinson, Burrow, Clarkson, Hall, Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Jones-buchanan, Keinhorst, Kirke, Leuluai, McShane, Minns, Moon, Moore, Peacock, Sinfield, Singleton, Sutcliffe.

Widnes Vikings: Ah Van, Allen, K Brown, Cahill, Clarke, Craven, Flynn, Hanbury, Hock, Isa, Kavanagh, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, O'Carroll, Owens, Pickersgill, White, Winterstein.

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