AFTER fighting for years to return to Super League, Leigh are in grave danger of going back from whence they came.

Sunday’s 24-8 home defeat to Widnes Vikings dealt a serious blow to their chances of finishing in the top three of the Middle 8s and avoiding the dreaded Million Pound Game.

Defeat to The Wire on Saturday would mean Neil Jukes’ side would no longer be able to catch their rivals.

Other results could also mean Leigh would only have one automatic Super League spot to compete for in what looks a tight race between themselves, Widnes and Catalans.

If the Middle 8s were to end now, Leigh would host the Dragons in the Million Pound Game as they sit fourth in the table.

After their trip to The Halliwell Jones Stadium, the Centurions’ fixtures look favourable, with a home game against Halifax and a trip to London to come.

However, they must first negotiate a derby with Wolves and they must do so without two of their pivots.

Ben Reynolds is suspended after an early guilty plea to a Grade B tripping charge earned him a one-match ban, while new signing Daniel Mortimer will miss the game with a bicep injury.

This presents Jukes with a conundrum as to who will partner Josh Drinkwater in the halves, while also finding an interchange hooker to support ex-Wire man Micky Higham.

To solve these problems, Jukes is expected to bring Frenchman Eloi Pelissier and Scotland international Liam Hood into his squad.

Centurions squad: Mitch Brown, Lachlan Burr, Matty Dawson, Josh Drinkwater, Matty Fleming, Harrison Hansen, Mickey Higham, Liam Hood, Sam Hopkins, Samisoni Langi, Gregg McNally, Antoni Maria, Corey Paterson, Eloi Pelissier, Greg Richards, Glenn Stewart, Danny Tickle, Atelea Vea.