Leigh boosted by return of duo as John Duffy provides injury update

Leigh will welcome the return of Joe Mellor and James Bell for Friday’s trip to Castleford.

The Centurions travel to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to face the Tigers on Friday night as they seek their first win of the season.

Half-back Mellor and loose forward Bell will return for Leigh – but utility Blake Wallace will be unavailable after suffering a head knock in Sunday’s defeat to Huddersfield.

On Bell’s return, Leigh coach John Duffy said: “He’ll mop everything up for us through the middle as well. He is a good communicator, he’s great on the ball and if he was a little bit bigger he’d probably be playing NRL.

“We call him our little Stacey Jones. He’s been great. I can’t speak highly enough of James and he can’t wait to get out.”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Duffy confirmed that new signing Brendan Elliot will remain sidelined with a knee injury for the next four weeks.

Junior Sa’u will miss Friday’s clash with Castleford but will be available from next week. Jamie Ellis still faces another five weeks on the sideline, Duffy confirmed.

Leigh have also signed young centre Josh Simm on a two-week loan deal from St Helens.

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