Leigh Leopards coach issues Edwin Ipape injury prognosis following Hull KR defeat

Long-term absentee set to miss start of new season

Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has revealed that halfback Edwin Ipape is set to miss the start of the 2023 Betfred Championship season through injury. The Papua New Guinea international sustained a serious knee injury during Leigh's 34-20 defeat to Hull KR at the MKM Stadium on Sunday, May 14. Ipape was forced off the field in the second half of the game and was replaced by new signing Blake Austin. Lam has now confirmed that Ipape will be out for an extended period of time, with the club set to assess his injury on a week-by-week basis. "Edwin has suffered a serious knee injury," Lam said after the game. "We're still waiting for the full extent of the damage to be confirmed, but it's likely that he'll be out for a long time." "It's a big blow for us, but we've got other players who can come in and do a job for us." Ipape's absence is a major setback for Leigh, who have already lost a number of key players to injury this season. Halfback Ben Reynolds has been out since April with a shoulder injury, while winger Matty Russell has also been sidelined with a knee injury. Lam will be hoping that Ipape can make a speedy recovery and return to action as soon as possible. However, it is likely that the 27-year-old will miss the start of the new season, which begins on Sunday, February 5. In the meantime, Lam will have to find a replacement for Ipape at halfback. One option is to move Austin to halfback and bring in a new centre. Another option is to give Joe Mellor a chance to play at halfback, alongside new signing Josh Charnley. Lam will have to make a decision on his halfback options ahead of Leigh's first game of the season against Featherstone Rovers on February 5.