Senior Out of 3rd Test

Great Britain rugby league centre Keith Senior is out of the third Ashes test against Australia after undergoing surgery on a hand injury suffered in Saturday's second test.

The 27-year-old Leeds Rhinos player dislocated and fractured his right thumb in attempting a hand-off during Britain's 23-20 defeat at Hull which wrapped up the series for Australia.

Senior is likely to have his hand in plaster for the next few weeks.

GB coach David Waite admitted that the loss of one of his side's main attacking threats was a blow as the side try to avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

"Keith's form on the international stage over the last three years has been outstanding," Waite said on Monday.

"He is our number one left centre and he's terrorised the Aussies for the last couple of weeks."

Senior's absence could create a place for Wakefield's 22-year-old centre or second rower Gareth Ellis to make his test debut in Huddersfield.

St Helens threequarter Martin Gleeson, who was on standby last week when Gary Connolly was in doubt for the second test with a knee injury, is another option.