Balshaw injury fears recede

Concerns over the fitness of Iain Balshaw receded tonight when it was revealed the England full-back has suffered only a slight quadricep tear.

Balshaw – who is set to tour New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions this summer – sustained the injury in Leeds’ 20-12 Powergen Cup final victory over Bath on Saturday.

The 26-year-old skipper limped off after just four minutes at Twickenham, raising question marks over his involvement in the Tykes’ remaining two Zurich Premiership matches.

But he underwent a scan earlier today which revealed the damage is not serious and he could return against Bath a week on Saturday.

He has spent the last two days at a Lions get-together near Cardiff and is due back in Headingley tomorrow when Leeds’ medical team will announce an estimated return.