LEIGH Centurions' worst fears have been confirmed.

Scrum-half Willie Swann will be out for up to six weeks after a specialist decided that surgery was required on his damaged knee.

Swann, who has already missed one game, is now likely to be out until the end of August.

"It's a big blow, but it could have been worse," admitted coach Paul Terzis. "Initially there was a real fear that Willie would be out for the rest of the campaign. But now we can look forward to having him back before the business end of the season."

Leigh have also lost prop Rob Ball who damaged a hamstring against Whitehaven last Sunday and faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines.

But there is brighter news of some of Leigh's other casualties as they prepare for Sunday's big NFP clash with Hull KR at Hilton Park, kick off 3pm.

Front rowers Vila Matautia and Dave Bradbury will have fitness tests on their respective hamstring and ankle injuries but Terzis is reasonably confident both will come through.

Hooker John Hamilton has the cast off his broken hand today but won't be rushed back this weekend.

Threequarter Oli Marns, signed on loan from Halifax until the end of the season, will be in this week's starting line-up, Terzis has confirmed.

"The paperwork was only completed last Thursday and Oli only trained wit us for the first time on Friday, so it seemed sensible to start him from the bench against Whitehaven.

"The lad's fitting in really well and will be a huge asset for us. He's told me he was astonished by the welcome he got from the Leigh fans when he came onto the pitch. He was quite touched actually."

Terzis is predicting to top game against Rovers, one of Leigh's bigggest rivals at the top of the table.

"They are a very consistent and well-organised side who've shown us what they can do when they knocked us out of the Buddies Cup.

"Although they won comfortably that day, that result will count for nothing come Sunday. We are a far better team than we showed that day.

"This is probably the most attractive home game we've got left in the regular season so it would be an ideal time for our fans to really create some noise and cheer us to what will be a crucial victory.

"If we could get the atmosphere at Hilton Park back to what it was, then it would make our home ground a really intimidating place for other teams to visit."