Leigh in “ongoing talks” with Anthony Gelling over potential return

Drew Darbyshire
Anthony Gelling Leigh

Anthony Gelling played for Leigh in Super League last season

Leigh coach Adrian Lam has confirmed the club are in discussions with Anthony Gelling over a potential return to the club. 

The 31-year-old made six appearances for the Centurions in Super League last season before leaving the club to return home to New Zealand in June.

But Lam has now said Gelling is interested in returning to Leigh, who are now in the Championship after suffering relegation last term.

Leigh coach on Anthony Gelling potential return

When asked for the latest on the Gelling link, Lam replied: “It is ongoing. It is a conversation that we’ve had.

“Obviously he is a player who at this club was very highly respected by his team-mates and staff and administration here.

“There is ongoing talk with him coming back to the UK because he is back in New Zealand at the moment. That hasn’t progressed too far but we are in the market continuously looking and asking questions.

“He’s quite comfortable where he is at the moment. He is interested in coming back to Leigh so we just need to find a happy medium for all of that.

“He’s got a fair bit going on in his life there too so that has been ongoing for a couple of weeks sort of in and out. He would be great for us but if thats not the case and won’t unfold that way then we’ll move on. We’ll probably know a little bit more within the next seven days.”

Gelling has made 159 club appearances for Wigan, New Zealand Warriors, Widnes, Warrington and Leigh. He has won six caps for the Cook Islands and could play in his second World Cup this autumn.


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Two in, one out at Leigh

Leigh prop Chris Green suffered a broken arm in their 28-6 defeat at Featherstone in Monday night Rugby League. The former Hull and Wakefield forward has been ruled out for eight to 12 weeks.

But the Centurions have been boosted by the return of prop Adam Sidlow and winger Jy Hitchcox. They are in contention to face Bradford on Monday.

Winger Kieran Dixon and back-rower James McDonnell received one-match bans following the Featherstone defeat. They will be available to play against Bradford but will miss the following week’s match at York.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea international Edwin Ipape has yet to arrive at Leigh. His passport visa should arrive within the next week so then he can travel over to England.

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