Leigh Leopards’ Adrian Lam reveals key man injury concern ahead of Wigan Warriors clash

Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam admits full-back David Armstrong is rated as a 50/50 ahead of Friday night’s game with Wigan Warriors.

Leigh will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after being pipped to a spot in the final of the Challenge Cup by Warrington Wolves last Sunday afternoon.

The Leopards are third in Super League and they know a second win of the season at the Brick Community Stadium would be enough to see them move into second in the table after round 11.

The fitness of Armstrong would certainly be a boost then and Lam will be making a late call as the full-back struggles with fluid on his knee.

Armstrong has missed Leigh’s last two league games through a quad injury and after returning in time to feature against the Wolves last week, he is now struggling with a knee issue.

“There’s still no Frankie Halton or Aaron Pene,” Lam said when giving an injury update to the media. “There’s a 50/50 doubt over David Armstrong with some fluid on his knee at the moment.

“Apart from that I think it’s more or less the same squad as last week. Everyone that came off for HIAs last week are good to go.”

Leigh Leopards boss hails Bailey Hodgson showings

The doubt ensures the impressive Bailey Hodgson can expect to play some role against the Warriors, be that off the bench, as it was last weekend in the Cup, or as the starting full-back in Armstrong’s absence.

“I think Bailey was in our team last week just because he’s been one of our better players,” Lam said. “It’s not normal that you have an outside back on the bench but I felt with David and a couple of other boys being 50/50 going into the game, he needed to be there.

“He’s certainly been one of our best players and he gets about his business really well. I think his performances this year in the 10 or 11 games we’ve had have been outstanding. He certainly will be in that full-back position if anything happens to Davy.

“I’m a big Davy Armstrong fan but I have that same respect for Bailey who has been given an opportunity and taken it with both hands. The same as Keanan Brand at the start of the year and the same as Ethan O’Neill.

“If we can get that pressure from all players and in all positions, that can only make us better. There’s nothing better for me as a coach than having to pick and leave someone out that could deserve to be in. That builds pressure and also performance.”