Julien Rinaldi’s foot injury is not as bad as first feared.

The Bulls hooker thought he had broken a bone against St Helens but a scan has confirmed there is no fracture.

However, with heavy swelling and bruising, Rinaldi is still highly doubtful to be able to face Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.

“It is unlikely he’ll be playing,” said coach Steve McNamara, who also had a few injury concerns with other players to assess before naming his 19-man squad today.

“He hasn’t got a break in there but we’ll wait and see how it settles down to see what type of damage he has done.”

Rinaldi’s short-term deal is due to expire this weekend, so the 30-year-old Frenchman is also waiting to discover if he has done enough in two months to win an extension.

Especially as the man he was signed to cover – fellow rake Wayne Godwin – is now ready to return from a broken leg.

McNamara insists nothing has yet been decided and added: “We’ve had some conversations between ourselves and his manager but that’s as far as it’s gone.”

Meanwhile, in the build-up to Friday’s big derby between the traditional rivals, Rhinos centre Lee Smith yesterday announced he will join Wasps at the end of the season.

The England international, 22, has agreed a three-year deal with the Guinness Premiership outfit.