Fleary back in the fold at Leeds

Darren Fleary's stubborn refusal to accept that his career might be over saw him restored to the Leeds Rhinos' first-team squad yesterday, three months after being told he had no future at the club.

The 30-year-old Great Britain prop missed the last six months of the season after injuring his right knee at Salford. A routine operation to "clear out" the knee revealed more serious damage and a specialist told him he might not play again.

But Fleary, who was serving a six-month notice period leading to the termination of his contract with Leeds, sought a second opinion, which cleared him to play again.

He is one of eight players, including the England Academy winger Richard Mathers and recent signing Gary Connolly, who have been added to the Rhinos' initial 17-man Super League squad, named in December.

Fleary is on the bench for tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Widnes, and with his fellow prop Barrie McDermott recovering from wrist surgery the former Keighley and Dewsbury front-row could make the starting line-up for the Challenge Cup fourth round next month.

Rhinos' coach Daryl Powell, who joined Leeds from Keighley at the same time as Fleary, is a big admirer and supported him during his battle for reinstatement.

The Rugby Football League and the Rugby Football Union have been asked to clarify the rules, principally the scoring system, for the cross-code challenge between St Helens and the Sale Sharks at Knowsley Road on January 27. The sides will play one half of union and one of league.

The London Broncos' search for a star begins this Sunday with regional heats at nine venues throughout the United Kingdom. A final heat in London on January 26 will yield a shortlist of three to join the Broncos for pre-season training and play in a friendly against Warrington. The winner will be given a one-year contract.

"We believe there is a great pool of talent out there that has yet to be tapped," said the Broncos' coach Tony Rae. "I am looking for someone who is fast, strong, agile and determined."

The RFL will announce the make-up of the new National League Three and an expanded Summer Conference this afternoon. The Australian Tax Office is to investigate every player from the past five years as part of a search for under-the-counter payments.