Smith counting on Danny McGuire's
fitness

Leeds coach Tony Smith is confident Great Britain international Danny McGuire will be fit for Friday?s Carnegie World Club Challenge against Canterbury Bulldogs at Elland Road.

The 21-year-old stand-off sustained a groin injury in the autumn?s Tri-Nations Series and aggravated it in last week?s friendly against London Broncos but, according to the Rhinos boss, is making encouraging progress.

?He?s pretty good,? Smith told a news conference at Elland Road. ?He?s been receiving treatment and he?s responding pretty well.

?We?ll finalise the team later in the week and I would say he?ll probably make it.?

Canterbury, who are without injured internationals Mark O?Meley, Willie Mason, Matt Utai and Andrew Ryan, will give a fitness test to prop or second rower Trevor Thurling, who damaged a hamstring in training but was today named on the bench by coach Steve Folkes.

The Australian champions will give debuts to young winger Trent Cutler in addition to new signings Chris Armit and Ben Czislowski, who have joined the club from Parramatta and Brisbane respectively.

Former Australia Test back row forward Bradley Clyde, 35, who finished his career with Leeds four years ago and took up the role of Bulldogs football manager, will be forced into the role of 18th man if Thurling fails a fitness test.

The Bulldogs include 10 of the side that beat Sydney Roosters in last October?s Grand Final.

Although the start of the new Australian season is still a month away and they have just five days to acclimatise, Folkes insists his side are taking Friday?s match seriously.

?It?s been a little disruptive with our preparation for the season,? said Folkes.

?It?s a little earlier than would have been perfect but we realise there are plenty of constraints.

?Obviously, it?s a fairly prestigious game and it would be another trophy in the cabinet.?

Ticket sales for the game have exceeded 32,000, raising the possibility of a full house at Elland Road.

Canterbury Bulldogs team: L Patten; H El Masri, J Lolesi, W Tonga, T Cutler; B Anasta, C Hughes; R Asotasi, A Perry, C Armit, S B Williams, R Maitua, T Grimaldi. Subs: N Miles, T Thurling, B Czislowski, B Oliver.