For a start Garbutt counted on the overseas quota didn't he?

Ward is a product of our own academy and if he can get a run in the team is an international class player.

You don't know what happens behind the scenes though? Garbutt was probably a sick note and took any chance he could to sit in the stands, Ward just seems to want to be out there contributing.

Yes but he hardly ever does get out there.International when fully fit but time to get rid i'm afraid

Retaining Ward is still a no-brainer for me, although I agree we can't afford him to have another season-long lay-off shortly after he returns.

Quite simply, Ward possesses the heart and signs of the leadership qualities that are currently missing from the team. Plus, he's homegrown. Imagine what the likes of Powell would do with him if we let him go.

I reckon we would have beaten Saints if he'd stayed on the field for the whole of that game. Could have completely changed the complexion of our season. Sigh.

You think it would be that easy? I should imagine as his employer they have a duty of care to get him fit and not sack him because he has an injury

Sinfield said last season, there is a lot of the salary cap sat in the stands, issue is, same players again out injured sat in the stands. I fully understand what individuals on here are saying, and as a club Leeds have a duty of care to their players. I also believe that some players have the slightest knock and they are missing for 6 weeks. When Ward plays we are a much better team, problem is he, like others do spend a lot of the season sat in the stands as opposed to on the pitch. No easy answer but at this stage of the season some players do play with knocks some are happy to sit in the stands, it just seems that Ward is constantly injured, no doubt he isn't, but looking back over his career he does seem to get a mid season rest. Sometimes you have to make that decision renew his contract or let him go, personally if he has another bad year with injuries next season then let him go at the end of his contract.

Which is an entirely sensible approach, ‘get rid now’ isn’t

Didn’t JJB go through similar when he was younger? He turned out OK

The duty of care is quite simply to not let him play again.
The lad is physically and mentally shot

In your uneducated on the subject opinion. For the others, he is back in four weeks.

Thank you for the information.
We will see how long he lasts !!

Both a physio and psychiatrist, impressive.

Indeed you are correct(only one though).
Seriously though do people think Ward is going to come back in four weeks and play to super league pace.It would take him another month to get anyway near,IF he gets back

Yes you are 100% correct, and as he points out, he was always fit as a fiddle at the end of the season , that's why by missing half of the season he has continued to play until age 38. if he would not have had any injuries he would have retired at age 30.

I have a hunch if we let Ward go he would go another club and be a great success

See various ex-leeds players at Cas.......