BOBBIE Goulding might have a surprise up his sleeve for his old mates from Leigh Centurions this weekend.

The Rochdale Hornets player/coach is hinting that he might get the boots out again to face his former club in Sunday's LHF Healthplan National League One top v bottom clash at Spotland.

Goulding, a high-profile signing for Leigh towards the end of the 2002 season, played for the Centurions in their Grand Final defeat by Huddersfield that season. Since then he took a year out of the pro game but returned in the close season as boss of cash-strapped Hornets.

But a long standing ankle injury needed surgery and so far he's still to put on a Hornets jersey.

However, it is understood that he's had a couple of games with amateur club Widnes St Maries in an effort to step up his fitness.

But scrum-half Goulding, one of the sport's characters, is giving nothing away.

"I might play, I might not," he is reported to have said. "If I was, I'm certainly not going to tell Leigh!"

Opposite number Darren Abram says he isn't too concerned either way. "We know what Bobbie's strengths are - his kicking game and ability to run across for the field and put players through gap. If he plays, then we'll be ready. If he doesn't, we'll still be ready."

With Leigh's big win at Oldham last weekend lifting them to third spot in the table, they will be red hot favourites at Rochdale who have lost heavily in all three league games so far and are rooted at the foot of the table and conceding an average of 50 points per game.

"Our approach remains the same," says Abram. "Rochdale have got some good players, but they've not gelled as a team yet. When they do, they'll surprise someone. We've got to make sure that someone isn't us."

Abram expects to be able to select from a position of strength with no major injury concerns arising from the Oldham game.

Prop Simon Knox had five stitches in a head wound but is expected to take his place while Ian Knott (groin) and Dave Larder (ankle) were withdrawn at Boundary Park as precautions and when the game was well won.

Richard Marshall and Willie Swann, who both made their comebacks at Oldham after lengthy lay-offs, will again be in the squad.

Leigh have allowed scrum-half Mick Coates to stay on loan at Swinton until the end of the season.