LEIGH Centurions' priceless victory over title rivals Whitehaven last weekend will count for nothing unless they can tame Batley Bulldogs on Sunday.

Victory at Mount Pleasant in the final league game of the season will almost certainly guarantee Leigh the National League One Minor Premiership and restore their standing as favourites to win the Grand Final.

And the RFL also appear to feel that the balance of power has switched Leigh's way. Yesterday (Wednesday) officials confirmed that should Leigh finish the season in pole position they will be formally presented with the Minor Premiership trophy immediately after Sunday's game.

While Leigh's number one priority on Sunday will be a victory they will also have one eye on the result from Whitehaven where the Cumbrians take on third placed Featherstone. Leigh and 'Haven are level on points at the top but, crucially, the Centurions hold a superior points difference of +40.

But even though the Bulldogs are in the lower half of the table Sunday's result is far from a foregone conclusion.

And Leigh's task is made more difficult with the news that recent signing Phil Jones is out for the rest of the year.

The stand-off damaged finger ligaments and tore a tendon off the bone in the game against Whitehaven. He was due to have corrective surgery this week but has been told he will be sidelined for three months.

"It never rains but what it pours," complained coached Darren Abram who has seen an entire back line wiped out by injury.

"Phil's absence means we've got to find yet another half-back combination. I've got to weigh up all the options and choose from John Duffy, Neil Turley, Mick Govin, Craig Weston and Willie Swann."

Jones is now added to the list of long term absentees which includes Paul Rowley (shoulder), Tommy Martyn (arm), Ben Cooper (broken cheekbone) and Danny Halliwell (broken hand).

The only good news on the injury front for Abram is that centre Cooper will be ready for the play-offs. "He's got the all-clear to play again after this weekend," says Abram. It's also possible that Halliwell will be fit enough to resume full contact training next week.

But whatever 17 Abram is able to call on at Batley he's confident of success if they can repeat the efforts of last weekend.

"Everything went well ahead of the Whitehaven game. They players prepared themselves properly and that was evident in training and on game day. If they do the same again this week they will win the game.

"As I've said to them, it's pointless putting all that effort in to beat Whitehaven and then throw it away at Batley."

Fans travelling to Batley are invited back to the Mick Martyn Bar after the game to meet the players. Free pie and peas will be provided courtesy of Cheshire Catering.