INFLUENTIAL hooker Paul Rowley will be missing for at least the next month after fracturing his hand in last Sunday's win at Dewsbury.

Leigh's worst fears were confirmed when x-rays showed a break to a metacarpus bone in the back of his hand.

His injury came just a couple of days after the Centurions had released reserve hooker John Hamilton who subsequently joined Rochdale.

Philosophical coach Paul Terzis said: "These things happen and while it's a disappointment, we're pretty well covered in that dummy half area. John Duffy, Pat Weisner and Lee Sanderson have all operated in that role at some stage this season."

Leigh are also likely to still be without free-scoring full-back Neil Turley for Sunday's Hilton Park battle of the National League One heavyweights, Salford.

Turley has again been struck down by a recurrence of his back complaint and is only given a 10 per cent chance of recovering in time for Sunday.

But the good news for the Centurions is that Sonny Nickle and Leroy Rivett (both knee injuries) have reported fully fit and will be in the squad.