Ablett to return for Leeds

CHALLENGE CUP FINAL, Leeds v Warrington
Wembley, Saturday 28 August, 1430 BST
Live coverage on BBC ONE, BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra, and BBC Sport website. Pre-match coverage at 1330 BST on red button

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Ablett comes back from his suspension just in time for Saturday

Leeds coach Brian McClennan is set to welcome back second-rower Carl Ablett as part of a lightweight pack for the Challenge Cup final with Warrington.

The 24-year-old has missed the Rhinos' last three matches after a ban for a high tackle on Wigan's Sam Tomkins.

But he will be included in McClennan's 19-man squad before the team set off on Thursday for their London base.

McClennan said: "Being suspended for three weeks was a very tough penalty, but now he comes into contention."

Leeds will show at least two changes to the side that beat St Helens 32-28 in the semi-finals, with front-rowers Jamie Peacock and Luke Burgess both ruled out with season-ending injuries.

Peacock suffered major knee damage in the win at Castleford earlier this month, while Burgess is out with a fractured cheekbone.

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McClennan can call on back-row pair Ian Kirke and Ali Lauitiiti, who also sat out the semi-final, and will rely on just two specialist props in Kylie Leuluai and Ryan Bailey.

Warrington will field three specialist front-rowers in Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell and Paul Wood, along with Ben Harrison, who played prop in the earlier rounds against Huddersfield and Bradford, but McClennan is confident in his forwards' ability to rotate.

"We've got a few options," he said. "We've got some back rowers who are more than capable of playing in the middle.

"In the modern game, players are a lot more adaptable. Some back rowers can do a job for you in the centre and some can do a job in the middle of the park as props.

"We've a very versatile group of players who are skilful enough to adapt to different positions."

Saturday's match will be the first sell-out in 13 years for rugby league's annual showpiece, with 90,000 fans ready to pack out Wembley.

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