Paul has made just two appearances for Leeds since April 2009

Leeds Carnegie have confirmed the injury to Danny Paul is not as bad as first feared and he should return to action within three weeks.

The number eight damaged his ribs in the defeat by London Irish, just 20 minutes into his first start in over a year after a shoulder operation.

Head coach Neil Back told BBC Radio Leeds: "Thankful it's not as serious as we thought.

"He'll be back in time for the next Premiership games in three weeks."

Paul will therefore miss Leeds' Challenge Cup matches at Bucharest Oaks on Saturday and at home to Stade Francais eight days later.

Due to the number of injuries we have this is a good time to have a break from the Premiership and get some players back on their feet Leeds head coach Neil Back

Leeds will rotate their squad for those matches and, just like last season, use the competition to try new tactics and partnerships.

Back explained: "Due to the number of injuries we have this is a good time to have a break from the Premiership and get some players back on their feet.

"So it also represents opportunities for other guys to get some game time and freshen up the squad.

"We were clear in the first Premiership games the side we'd put out and they'd be little rotation there.

"That's been very difficult for some other players to take. They've have had to play in the A league fixtures instead and they've done very well there.

"Now this is there opportunity to state why they should be in the first team.

"Hopefully they'll take their opportunity. It's important we get a win, our first of the season.

"Then we can take that into the Stade Francais game and then into Sale back in the Premiership."

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