Championship Preview: Leigh Centurions v Keighley Cougars

Leigh Centurions coach Paul Rowley has been dealt a major blow with the news that Ryan Brierley is facing six weeks out with medial ligament damage.

Martin Ridyard is also missing for Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship fixture with Keighley Cougars.

Rowley said: “Ryan and Martin have been in great form, so we’ve got some challenges this week.”

He added: “We were more than happy with what we came up with at Featherstone last week.

“We’ve been in good form and consistent for a number of weeks, and our defence has been absolutely huge. We need to continue producing that kind of effort.”

Ben Sagar, Joe Chandler, James Haley and player-coach Paul March all face late fitness tests before Keighley’s squad is finalised.

March said: “We played Leigh in the Northern Rail Cup, but both teams will have improved since then. Our league position doesn’t say how well we’ve been playing.

“Our game against Batley showed that we can compete with the top four, and going to Leigh, where there’s a nice wide field… we’ll see what happens.”