HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS’ Leroy Cudjoe will be hoping that he can stake a claim for an England shirt.
Steve McNamara’s squad are preparing for Saturday’s opening Four Nations clash against Wales at Leigh Sports Village, but one route into the team for Cudjoe appears to have closed.
Cudjoe has played in the centres, on the wing and at full-back for the Giants, but England coach McNamara has declared full-back Sam Tomkins fully fit for the weekend after the Wigan star struggled with illness and injury before and during the 32-18 win over France in Avignon last Friday.
Wales could be without dual-code international Gareth Thomas for personal reasons, but they will welcome back skipper Lee Briers after he sat out their 30-6 win over the Irish in Neath.
Australia coach Tim Sheens played down his side’s favourites tag.
The Kangaroos, who kick off the tournament against New Zealand in Warrington on Friday night, are 4-11 with the bookmakers to reclaim the Four Nations crown they surrendered to the Kiwis in Brisbane last November.
New Zealand are priced at 3-1 to retain the trophy, with England 7-1 and Wales the 100-1 rank outsiders on their series debut.
“We’ve got to fight to maintain an intensity,” said Sheens.