Giants lose De Vere for 10 weeks after clash with Jones

Huddersfield's Australian Test centre, Michael De Vere, might not play again this season after an accident with a team-mate. De Vere broke and displaced a bone in his hand when he struck the top of Stuart Jones's head during Saturday's defeat by Bradford.

Huddersfield's Australian Test centre, Michael De Vere, might not play again this season after an accident with a team-mate. De Vere broke and displaced a bone in his hand when he struck the top of Stuart Jones's head during Saturday's defeat by Bradford.

He will be out of action for 10 weeks and, with only 11 rounds of the competition left, that could be the end of a season that started seven weeks late because of a knee injury. The Giants' coach, Jon Sharp, had no doubts that De Vere could bounce back. "He's one of the toughest people mentally I've ever met," he said.

Leeds have tied up two more of their young players on long-term contracts. Lee Smith has agreed a four-year deal and Nick Scruton, has signed for three.

Salford have received an apology from the St Helens chairman, Eamonn McManus, after their complaint that he had lowered his trousers in their clubhouse to show the damage done climbing a fence. They now regard the matter as closed.

Oldham have reached an agreement over their debt to the Inland Revenue that lifts the threat of closure.