Leeds' Tincknell hungry to play after car crash

Tincknell joined Leeds from Wharfedale

Leeds Carnegie's James Tincknell says the 'shackles are off' as he continues his recovery from a life-threatening car crash.

The 23-year-old was in a coma for a month after the accident in February.

Seven months on Tincknell made his return to action in the British & Irish Cup win over Rotherham Titans.

"I've been wrapped in cotton wool, but the shackles are off now. So it's about getting more game time now," Tincknell told BBC Radio Leeds.

He may have to wait until the B&I Cup match at Doncaster in mid-October for his next appearance for Leeds.

However the winger has now been sent out on loan to his former club Wharfedale to quicken his recovery.

He will play for Wharfedale's second team at Sandal on Saturday.

"I need more game time in order to get my fitness and sharpness back before I'm in a position to compete for a position here at Leeds," he said.

"There's a lot of competition here so it's down to me to work hard on loan and put in some performances to get into Diccon's [Edwards, head coach] plans."

Tincknell was brought in by Leeds' former management team of Andy Key and Neil Back in 2010.

Despite being originally ear-marked as a development player Tincknell exploded onto the Premiership scene and soon became a key player for the club before the crash.

He was utilised as a full-back, centre and winger and he expects his versatility to continue to be used by new boss Edwards.

"I think it will be more of the same as a utility back. My favourite position is 13," he said.

"I think there I can cause the most threat and I'm naturally better at that position.

"But I think the plan is to just see how I get on and where I can slot into the team. I just want to play so where ever I can get in.

"I wasn't anywhere near the finished article last season. I still had a lot of development to do.

"So the plan is to work hard and not just get back to where I was last year but to become a better player than I was back then."