Leeds ' England international Tom Briscoe will be sidelined for around three months with a shoulder injury , coach Brian McDermott has confirmed . The 25-year-old former Hull winger , who missed just two matches in his first season with the Rhinos in 2014 , will undergo surgery on Saturday after scans revealed the full extent of an injury he has been carrying for a few weeks . 'There 's a fair bit of damage in there , ' McDermott said . 'He 's been good for us so we 'll miss him but it gives an opportunity for Ash Handley to get some more game time . Leeds ' England international Tom Briscoe will be sidelined for around three months with a shoulder injury . 'He did okay against Wigan . The acid test for Ash will come in the coming weeks to maintain that level . ' Handley , 19 , made only his second Super League appearance and scored his first try in Leeds ' 26-14 win over Wigan last Friday and keeps his spot for the trip to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons on Saturday , while Liam Sutcliffe will continue to deputise for skipper Kevin Sinfield , who is still recovering from a hamstring injury . Another England international , Zak Hardaker , keeps his place pending the outcome of an investigation into an assault he committed on a student in Leeds in February . 'At some stage the club will make an announcement , ' McDermott said . ' I think it 's coming to its conclusion but we 're still on with it . ' Leeds Rhino coach Brian McDermott admits Briscoe 's injury lay-off is a blow for the team . Hardaker was dropped when the incident came to light earlier this month but recalled for the Wigan game and McDermott insists he is right to select the player , who was released by police without charge after paying compensation and issuing an apology to his victim . 'Zak gets paid to do a job , ' McDermott added . ' I know there is a sentiment from people out there who say 'why is he still playing ? ' but to stand Zak down does n't do him any good . 'If a bricklayer makes an error at work , you do n't give him time off . Why would we give Zak Hardaker the time off to live a decent lifestyle where he can do what he wants ? 'He has to do a job for us . He is paid to do that job and he will go out and do it . I do n't feel that 's covering anything up . '
Tom Briscoe will miss three months of action , confirms Brian McDermott . - The All Blacks have signed a new deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union for five years starting from June 2015.