But despite that setback, coach Paul Rowley refuses to concede that Leigh are in a relegation battle.


He said: "We are still very focused on a play-off place.
"The time you start talking about teams below you is the time you start getting involved in what they are doing.
"I know people will point to the fact that we lost at Whitehaven last week, but the lads played really well, and it was injuries that hit us hard.
Weakness
"We ended up with Dave McConnell on the wing, forwards in the centre and with the best will in the world, Dave
didn't have the pace to match Calvert and Adebisi.
"All credit to Whitehaven for spotting our weakness and taking us on in that area.


"It was a big effort from us and but for the injuries I would have backed us to win.
"The loss of Ian Watson was a huge blow, especially as he worked so well with our new on-loan signing Tom Hemingway. Tom went really well.
"Hopefully, we will have the bulk of the players fit again for Halifax and we will be up for a win."


Rowley may have his hands full in ensuring he steers Leigh up the table, but he also has one eye on the future. And with former coach Ian Millward heading back to the club in October, he admits he is excited about what lies ahead.


He said: "When I first came in into coaching, I said I wanted a good
apprenticeship and to learn from experienced coaches and Ian is certainly one of the best.
"I am really excited about the prospect of working with him and already you can feel a new buzz around the place in anticipation of his arrival."
Millward confirmed he had no problems with the two incumbent
members of the player management and coaching staff.
He said: "I know we will all get on very well.
"Paul is a talented young coach, full of enthusiasm and ideas.
"And director of rugby Neil Kelly has plenty of experience and he and I have always got along well.
"Obviously I will look after recruitment, but Neil will look after the budget side of things and allow me to get on with coaching.

"I am really excited about the prospect of being at the new stadium and working with chairman Arthur Thomas, who was the man who took me to St Helens.
''Leigh is a great club in a great town and we will be doing our best to make sure we can pick up the trophies to ensure we have a good Super League application in place for 2011."