TOP prop Dave Bradbury is likely to miss most of Leigh Centurions' remaining Arriva Trains Cup qualifying games with a broken thumb.

And with Richard Marshall damaging ligaments in his thumb and Heath Cruckshank struggling with a neck injury, Leigh have run into a front row crisis just 10 days before tackling Hull in the Powergen Challenge Cup.

Bradbury will be in plaster for about a month and unable to play for something like six weeks. Marshall's injury is also causing some concern and it's touch and go whether he'll be ready for the Hull tie.

The only good news is that Cruckshank's injury is a minor one and he could be fit for this Sunday's visit of Chorley Lynx.

Coach Darren Abram said: "It's a big blow to lose two of your form props in the same game. But injuries are part and parcel of this game and you just have to get on with it.

"The situation does mean that other people will get an opportunity. It's up to those to grab that opportunity with both hands."

Abram intends giving chances to one or two of his fringe players a chance to show what they can do against Chorley at Hilton Park this Sunday. He said: "It was always my intention to do that. One or two players have been kicking their heels for a couple of weeks. Now they'll get the opportunity to show me that they deserve the jersey."

Although Abram won't name names the obvious candidates for a run out are Dale Cardoza, Danny Halliwell, Damien Munro, Mick Coates and Anthony Blackwood.

A year ago Abram was plotting a shock victory by Chorley against Leigh in the same competition but the ex-Lynx coach says there will be no sentiment from him.

"I've a job to do with Leigh. That's my only concern," he said. "They've made a poor start in the competition and lost their opening two games very heavily. But I know that Mark Lee will have them fired up and we've got to treat them with the same respect we would give any other side.

Leigh's prop shortage could be eased if Paul Norman comes through an Under 21s game without any ill-effect.

Norman has not figured this season after surgery on his shoulder but is ready to start his comeback when Leigh's senior academy side take on Wigan U21s in a curtain-raiser on Sunday, kick off 12.30pm.