Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam has revealed how his side may look against Castleford Tigers on Thursday night.
The Tigers lost last time out against Salford Red Devils, but had won three before that and also looked good despite defeat in tricky fixtures against Wigan Warriors and Hull KR.
The Leopards have similar uptick in form recently, winning their last three games.
This is, therefore, going to be a tough test for both sides. Speaking ahead of the game, Lam said: “I think going there on a smaller pitch with a big crowd behind them, we’ve just got to make sure that we’re focused on our preparation and focused on the process. It’s going to be a real difficult encounter for us and I think we’re in a really good place.”
Asked whether Wheldon Road’s notoriously small pitch will make them change from Lam’s favoured expansive approach, he said: “Yeah, there’s a slightly different game plan that we’ll take with it.
“We’ve still got some quality players ourselves. One or two are out this week obviously, but I’m sure with the confidence that we’ve got, we can go there and show that 80 minute performance that we need in such a crucial part of the season.”
Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards squad update
Credit: Imago Images
Asked who is out injured for the game, Lam revealed: “I think Gaz O’Brien, obviously he was knocked out and had the HIA fail. He won’t play for a couple of games now.
“There’s some doubt over Matt Moylan with the rib and so we’ve just got to manage through that time.”
New signing Bailey Hodgson could make his debut for the Leopards this week, against his former side.
He was named in the 21-man squad for Thursday night, and Lam was asked if Hodgson could feature: “Well he’s been named in the 21, he arrived to training two days ago, so he’s had two sessions with us now.
“So like I said, we’ll give him every opportunity to be bright for that game and hopefully he’ll be there, it’ll be a nice little twist in the story.”
Speaking further on Hodgson, Adrian Lam said: “Well he’s got serious speed and serious footwork, he’s pretty quick along the ground. So we need to probably see a little bit more of him at training in the sense that he’s gradually got the groove and he’s probably still a bit jetlagged as well.
“We’re just looking forward to him coming into the squad and building that squad with that youth and what’s to be expected.”
