THE Centurions will need to show some Sheffield steel this weekend if they are to keep their nine-point lead at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership.
Leigh have run into their worst injury pile-up of the season and will be sending a depleted squad out to tackle the Eagles at the Don Valley on Sunday night.
The Eagles have been regarded as something of a bogey side for Leigh in recent years and despite the Centurions' current standing at the head of the division, they are aware of a potential banana-skin. Battling for a top eight finish, Mark Aston's side have an impressive home record having won their last four including victories over Widnes and Doncaster.
"We won't be taking them lightly in any way," says Leigh's head coach Paul Terzis. "I remember last year they turned us over at Hilton Park just after I'd arrived. I'm determined to make sure that doesn't happen on Sunday night."
Terzis has already ruled out prop Andy Leathem, second rower Simon Baldwin and winger Dave Ingram while centre Paul Anderson is given a less that 50 per cent chance of making the starting line-up.
In addition hooker Martin Roden broke an ankle in an Alliance game last week and joins other long term casualties Andy Fairclough, Alan Hadcroft, Jamie Gass and Kieron Purtill.
Leathem, Baldwin, Anderson and Ingram were all hurt in last week's win over Dewsbury. Leathem left the ground on crutches after picking up a calf injury early on, Baldwin has a bad ankle, Anderson bruised his shoulder and Ingram has a back strain.
"Of those four only Ando has any chance," Terzis revealed. "He training for the first time on Wednesday but had to avoid any body contact. He's having intensive physio but at this stage it's looking unlikely that he'll recover in time."
With nine players in the treatment room, Terzis finds his squad stretched. He has called up Dave Jones, Jason Johnson, Paul Norman and Alan Cross as replacements. If Cross plays it will be his first senior appearance since last season's Grand Final.
"It's a big weekend for us and shows the benefit of putting together a big squad at the start of the season," Terzis adds. "But with nine players out, the injury situation is starting to bite.
"We won't be treating Sheffield lightly, they are a useful side who are extremely dangerous on their home ground. Richard Goddard is one of their key players, Mark Aston is experienced and gets them round the park well while centre Neil Kite has impressed me."
The Eagles have injury problems of their own. Prop Jon Bruce is out with a knee injury while Chris Judge (foot) and Matt Foster (hamstring) are both under treatment. They must also chose a new hooker with Andy Speak leaving the Don Valley for trials at Castleford.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article