IAN Knott has some pretty big boots to fill as Adam Bristow's replacement in the Leigh Centurions team.

Bristow's three seasons at Hilton Park established him as one the best overseas players the club has ever had and his departure at the end of the last campaign left a huge hole to fill.

But in Knott, Leigh firmly believe they've got something even better.

The capture of the goal-kicking loose-forward from Wakefield was something of a coup for the Centurions. After all not many players of the right age and ability are willing to step down from Super League to National League One.

But if the evidence of Leigh's pre-Christmas workout against St Helens is anything to go by, Knott will soon become a key element in Darren Abram's team.

Abram was quick to praise Knott after that game, saying: "Ian Knott had an exceptional game. He was a leader out there on the field and was everything I could have asked of him. His organisational sense is second to none.

"I know how much influence Adam Bristow had on Leigh teams in the past, but mark my words Ian Knott is going to be even better."

Abram's assessment is shared by assistant Tommy Martyn. He said: "Knott is an excellent signing for us. He's a great lad to bring in. He'll be a leader for us and a great lad to have in the dressing room."

Knott is likely to make his second appearance in Leigh colours on January 4 when the Centurions visit Warrington for the Mark Hilton Testimonial game, kick off 3pm.

That will be Leigh's final warm-up game before the Arriva Trains competition kicks off on February 1.

The second week of the new season sees Leigh in Powergen Challenge Cup action, having been drawn away to Pennine League champions Elland.

Leigh have offered Elland the chance to switch the tie to Hilton Park rather than play the game at Halifax's Shay ground.

Chief executive Allan Rowley said: "We've told Elland that it makes financial sense to play the game at Leigh, but they seem a bit reluctant to give up home advantage. They wanted to go away and think about it. So far they've not got back.

Based in the village of Greetland near Halifax, Elland are coached by former Bradford Bulls and Great Britain forward Karl Fairbank.

Their stand-out players are reported to be BARLA Great Britain half-back Junaid Malik, BARLA U23s and Yorkshire county winger Oliver Fairbank as well as the experience of ex-Doncaster, Batley and Dewsbury prop Johnny Moore.

Elland could also spring a surprise and call on former Hull, Keighley and Doncaster centre Terry Manning who has been playing in Elland's second team.

Meanwhile Leigh have made a contract offer to Samoan international Willie Swann in an attempt to keep him at Hilton Park for another season.

Swann has undergone a major operation on his Achilles and is not expected to be fit until the end of March at the earliest.

"We've put a contract to Willie based on incentive payments," said Abram. "We've left it with him now."

Another of last season's released squad, front rower Rob Ball, has found himself a new club. He's teamed up with Bobbie Goulding at Rochdale.

The Centurions will go to a tribunal with NL1 rivals Keighley on January 16 if they fail to agree a fee for second rower Oliver Wilkes.

Leigh Miners' tie with former Challenge Cup winners Sheffield Eagles is almost certain to go ahead at Hilton Park on Friday, February 6.