McGuire relieved to be back

Leeds stand-off Danny McGuire admitted it had been frustrating to sit on the sidelines after making his comeback from a seven-month injury lay-off in the Rhinos' 34-16 victory over Crusaders.

The 28-year-old had been out of action since damaging knee ligaments in a play-off encounter against Wigan last September, but he made his first Engage Super League appearance of the 2011 season from the bench on Monday.

He said: "I really enjoyed it. It's been a long time, seven and a bit months, since I last played and I really missed it. The most frustrating thing about being a player is when you can't be out there doing your bit for the team and helping out the lads."

He added: "I think it's going to take a while to get back to some of the form I was playing last year but you've got to start somewhere. I got a few knocks, I tested it out and everything felt great with the knee so I'm looking forward to the next few weeks now."

McGuire's introduction coincided with Leeds' best period of the match following a lifeless opening.

Brett Delaney, Carl Ablett and Keith Senior all touched down to give Leeds an 18-0 half-time lead after the England international had replaced Jamie Jones-Buchanan to a rapturous reception from the Headingley crowd.

However, McGuire was quick to play down his contribution.

"I just tried to go on and give the lads a little bit more energy," he added.

"It was pretty sapping conditions with the weather and I didn't play on Thursday so I was a little bit fresher and a little bit more excited than them.

"I just tried to do my bit and get involved in as many plays as I could and luckily we had a good spell where we put a few tries together."