Oliver Gildart is set for a shock return to Super League with Leeds Rhinos. Rugby League Live understands a deal has been agreed in principle that will see the Wests Tigers centre link up with the Rhinos for the rest of the season.
However, the deal will not be a permanent one, with the former Wigan Warriors star set to sign for the new NRL outfit Redcliffe Dolphins in 2023. The 25-year-old is understood to have agreed on a deal with Wayne Bennett's side but will be allowed to leave his current club with immediate effect.
Gildart has dropped down the pecking order since his arrival down under and has recently been training away from the first team. As a result, it's thought Gildart's motivation to make the move stems from his desire to feature in the World Cup at the end of the season. The 25-year-old is keen to maximise his opportunities and fears that ending the year away from first grade would hamper his chances of making Shaun Wane's squad.
Read more: Making sense of Leeds Rhinos' pursuit of Oliver Gildart on short-term deal
That's where the Rhinos have come in, though it's thought there is a potential salary cap stumbling block which may result in Leeds needing to move a player out in order to get him in for the rest of the season.
Leeds moved Jack Walker to Hull FC for the remainder of the season though it's unclear whether that has opened up enough space to secure Gildart. It's thought that there could be another outgoing this week. Liam Sutcliffe was last week linked with a move to Hull FC though his agent, Craig Harrison, played down the suggestion that Sutcliffe would be making any decisions on his future before the end of the season.
Gildart has played eight times for the Tigers since his move to the NRL but hasn't featured for over two months, his last appearance came on May 7th in a defeat to Manly Sea Eagles.
However, he has been offered a new opportunity down under with Redcliffe by Bennett, who worked with Gildart during his time as England and Great Britain head coach. For now, his focus is on finding form that will help him land a World Cup spot, with England boasting plenty of options in the position ahead of the tournament.
It's unclear when Gildart will arrive and if he'll be able to feature in Leeds' clash with Toulouse Olympique this Saturday.
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