FORMER Warrington Wolves forward James Laithwaite has come out of retirement.

The back rower – a former Crosfields amateur – has penned a deal to join Leigh Centurions until the end of the season after impressing on trial with the Championship side.

It was for the Centurions that the 27-year-old made his senior debut on dual registration in 2012 having come through The Wire's academy.

It was also against them that the former Penketh High School pupil suffered a broken leg playing for Warrington in a Challenge Cup tie in 2015. It turned out to be his final game for the club.

Having left The Wire at the end of 2016, he joined Toronto Wolfpack before moving on loan to Bradford Bulls, where he broke his leg for a second time last year.

That injury forced him to quit, but now he is back in the game with John Duffy's side.

"I'm delighted to have been able to add James to the squad," the Leigh head coach said.

"James has had a couple of freak injuries and retired from the game and concentrated on building up his qualifications. But you only realise how much playing the game means to you when suddenly it's gone.

"James has been having trials with us and he's been in good shape and absolutely flying in training.

"He's been at Leigh before and he can't wait to get back playing in front of the North Stand. He's really excited.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how he fits in. He can play on the edge or in the middle, so he gives us lots of options and really adds quality to the squad.

"You look at his career, he was an outstanding junior prospect and he was establishing himself in Super League until injuries hampered him.

"He's still hopefully got a lot of years left in him."