THE Centurions have been looking to the past as they plan for the future.

Leigh's dismal record at the Recreation Ground in recent years is being used as a motivational weapon ahead of Sunday's tough trip to Whitehaven.

Since they famously clinched the Division One championship on the same ground almost 19 years ago, Leigh have only won three times at the 'Rec'. Their last victory was in 1989 and have lost their last three, including last season's 24-6 shocker.

"It's not a record that this club's proud of," says head coach Paul Terzis. "It's something we've spoken about as a squad this week and we're fully determined to put an end to that losing sequence.

"Many of the players who went up there and were beaten last season don't want a repeat. That's something they've spoken about during the week."

During last season's league campaign, Leigh were beaten seven times - five of them on the road. And that's a figure they aim to put right this time.

"We've turned Hilton Park into something of a fortress over the last couple of seasons and we're rightly proud of that. But if we are to keep improving, our away record holds the key," Terzis points out.

Whitehaven may have lost their opening two games - at Widnes and at home to Swinton - but the Centurions are anticipating a real battle on the West Cumbrian coast.

"It's going to be a tough, uncompromising contest in trying conditions," says Terzis. "It's probably one of those games that the team with the greater mental toughness will pull through.

"They'll be really fired up and will come out with all guns blazing. One thing's for sure is that Whitehaven won't want to lose three on the bounce."

On the evidence so far new coach Paul Cullen has his team prepared physically and well organised.

"I've seen a tape of their game at Widnes and in all honesty for perhaps 70 per cent of the game they were the better side," Terzis reveals.

Terzis has singled out New Zealand hooker Aaron Lester and centre David Seeds as the two biggest dangers. "Lester gives them all the direction in the middle of the field while Seeds is their major strike player. He has great footwork and a strong front-on defender."

The Leigh boss has one or two tactical switches up his sleeve with Liam Bretherton, Chris Morley and Dave Bradbury all likely to be in the starting 13. Terzis has only confirmed that Dave Jones will replace the injured Dave Ingram on the wing. Ingram has a neck strain. Fit again Dave Whittle will be on the bench.

Leigh's only other concern is second rower Phil Kendrick who picked up a slight thumb injury against Barrow but is expected to be declared fit.

Leigh's other casualties, Kieron Purtill and Willie Swann, are expected to return to action by Christmas. Purtill is back in full training after a shoulder operation while Swann has made a flying visit to his native New Zealand while his broken hand continues to heal. He's due back in England next week.

SQUAD: Turley, Hadcroft, Anderson, Fairclough, Jones, Svabic, Duffy, Bretherton, Bristow, Baldwin, Morley, Street, Hamilton, Roden, Bradbury, Kendrick, Norman, Whittle.