Leeds Rhinos will be without Blake Austin for Sunday's important trip to play-off rivals Salford Red Devils. The in-form halfback has been handed a one-match ban by the Match Review Panel following a Grade C dangerous contact offence.
Austin has received back-to-back man-of-the-match awards following superb displays against Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves but will now sit out the trip to face Paul Rowley's side in what is a significant blow to Rohan Smith's side.
Austin, who has an uncertain future after being offered to rival clubs last week, is off-contract at the end of the season. He is the only Leeds player to be suspended this week, with England prop Tom Holroyd charged but only fined for a Grade B charge. Cameron Smith was cautioned for contact with a match official but no further action will be taken.
Salford will also be without one of their players, hooker Amir Bourouh, after he received a one-match ban for other contrary behaviour which was given a Grade B charge. However, this will likely be countered with the return of England hooker Andy Ackers, who is expected to return to action alongside Ryan Brierley and current Man of Steel, Brodie Croft.
Read more: Leeds Rhinos resurgence comes with unanswered question that play-off hopes hinge on
Elsewhere, Liam Watts has been banned once again, this time for two matches after a Grade C charge. It is his tenth ban since the beginning of last season. Fellow prop, Warrington's Sam Kasiano, has received a one-match ban for the shoulder charge that saw him sent to the sin-bin against Leeds last week.
One other player, Catalans' Romain Navarrete, has also been banned for one match. Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors' Ethan Havard and Salford Red Devils' Kallum Watkins have both been handed £250 fines.
