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McDermott: We can cope without Sinfield

Leeds coach Brian McDermott is confident his side can overcome the loss of skipper Kevin Sinfield for Friday's Super League clash with Wigan at Headingley.

Kevin Sinfield is out with a hamstring problem Credit: Press Association

The former England skipper recently climbed up to fourth place in rugby league's all-time scoring list with 3,997 points and is second only to Paul Wellens (St Helens) with the most number of Super League appearances on 433.

Danny McGuire will skipper the Rhinos in Sinfield's absence and Liam Sutcliffe will take on the playmaking role as they look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Warrington last Friday.

Kev's got some hamstring/neurol issue so he's stood down for a week to let that recover.

He's a fantastic player for us and very influential so we will miss him but what we've got out there is good enough and Liam Sutcliffe certainly shows a lot of promise and has delivered in the past.

– Brian McDermott

McDermott will also give a second appearance to prop Andy Yates after ruling Kylie Leuluai out with bicep and rib injuries and will make a late decision on whether to recall full-back Zak Hardaker after he was left out a week ago.