PAUL Terzis reckons Tim Street's broken thumb has been a blessing in disguise.

The Hilton Park coach declared that the enforced absence had seen his top prop come back refreshed and eager for action.

"It was like having a new signing out there," Terzis reflected after watching Street make his comeback as a subsititute at Hunslet last Sunday. "Tim's sat and watched the last five games and he's seen the way other players have performed in his absence and it made him realise he's having to work even harder.

"He says this will be his final year before retirement and I can see in the way he's handling himself that he's determined to go out in a blaze of glory. He's been a model professional on and off the field.

"I'm delighted to have him back and I know the rest of the squad feel the same way. He's going to be a very influential figure for us in the closing months of the season."

Leigh now set out on a run of three games in nine days. They have a showdown with Widnes today and then back up against local rivals Swinton at Gigg Lane on Sunday before clashing with last season's Grand Final conquerors Dewsbury at Hilton Park on Sunday week.

It's a sequence of games that will test even Leigh's large squad.

"It's impossible to ask every player to play in all three games," says Terzis. "But because we have strength in depth it gives me the opportunity to be selective and ease the workload on the players.

"Whatever side we turn out we have set ourselves the goal of winning all three matches. If we do that then the Top Four scenario will be a whole lot clearer."