AFTER years of near misses, Leigh Centurions are finally back in the big time and if early signs are anything to go by, they could be here to stay.

A successful Middle 8s campaign last year meant they returned to Super League for the first time since 2005, allowing head coach Neil Jukes to embark on an extensive recruitment drive.

Players such as Glenn Stewart, Atelea Vea and Ryan Hampshire came in, but it is Leigh’s old boys that have led the charge so far this season.

They sit eighth in the Super League table having won two and lost three of their opening five Super League games.

Both of their wins have come at home, with St Helens and Huddersfield both leaving Leigh Sports Village pointless.

Leeds edged to a 17-14 victory in Leigh’s other home game, while they have been beaten on the road by Wigan and Castleford, Super League’s top two sides.

Former Wolves hooker Micky Higham has led from the front and Jukes has ensured they lose nothing from dummy-half when he takes a rest by bringing in livewire ex-Catalans man Eloi Pelissier.

At 36, Higham is in the autumn of his career, but his try against Saints where he raced home from 30 metres shows he is still as dangerous a proposition around the ruck as he was during his days in primrose and blue.

After helping them to three Challenge Cup titles during his time at the club, Higham will be remembered fondly by Wire fans but he is now a key part of Jukes’ assault on the top flight.

Jukes will also be able to call upon former Australia second rower Stewart for the game after his last appearance came in the opening round defeat to Castleford.

Leigh do have their injury problems, with Corey Paterson, Liam Hood and Willie Tonga all left out of the squad.

Harrison Hansen and Gareth Hock are other experienced Super League operators, while Ben Crooks will be eager to once again show the promise that earned him a spot in the 2013 Super League Dream Team and a move to the NRL.

He is likely to come up against the man he formed a deadly combination with at Hull FC that year in winger Tom Lineham.

Centurions squad: Mitch Brown, Adam Higson, Ben Crooks, Ben Reynolds, Matty Dawson, Martyn Ridyard, Josh Drinkwater, Gareth Hock, Micky Higham, Jamie Acton, Glenn Stewart, Harrison Hansen, Eloi Pelissier, Danny Tickle, Atelea Vea, Ryan Hampshire, Sam Hopkins, Lachlan Burr, James Green.