Duffy returns for Widnes clash

Centurions coach Ian Millward is hopeful that John Duffy can come back into the Leigh squad that faces Widnes in Thursday’s televised Co-operative Championship clash.

Jacob Emmett, Matty Blythe and Lee Mitchell could also return to the Centurions squad after missing last week’s Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat at Bradford.

Millward said: “Defensively we have some principles and structures, and at times against Bradford we let ourselves down with that.

“Life’s a learning experience and a lot of guys will have learned things last week.

“We got a couple of bumps and bruises against Bradford, but they’ll be all right. We might also get a couple of guys back in time for Widnes.”

Widnes coach Paul Cullen hopes his horrendous injury list will ease this week with the return of up to eight players.

Last week the Vikings faced Wigan in the Carnegie Challenge Cup with 16 players unavailable.

Cullen said: “It was the best training session we’ll have all season. I was delighted with the effort we put in.

“We’re looking forward to going to Leigh. Hopefully we’ll get six, seven or maybe even eight players who were sat in the stands back available for us. The Challenge Cup wasn’t our goal this season. We’ve got to make someone pay and the next one up is Leigh.”