LEIGH boss Paul Terzis is preparing his forces to beat off the challenge from Cumbrians Whitehaven in their Ariva Trains semi-final clash and feels the newly-named Coliseum Stadium could prove impregnable.

They have made their Hilton Park ground a formidable fortress and as a result fear no-one, according to Terzis.

"Whitehaven are a top side and this could be a close encounter, but it doesn't matter if we only win by a point.

"I know that Whitehaven are playing well at the moment and between us we have the two best defences in the division. But this game is all about winning and we want to win every match," said Terzis.

With only John Duffy to worry about on the injury front and Dale Cardoza out of the equation with a three-match suspension, Terzis mat well go with the side that whipped Doncaster Dragons last week.

"I think there could be a couple of changes to the squad," forecast Terzis, who keeps his cards close to his chest on team selection these days. Neil Turley will be a definite starter following his 31-point haul last week, but Terzis feels he may not have the same impact.

"It's always the same when a player comes back off a long injury lay-off. They have a good first game and then it catches up with them for a few weeks afterwards. I hope that isn't the case with Neil, but we have got to expect the unexpected," said Terzis.

Leigh have built up a big, mobile set of forwards to compliment a fast back line. Top signings Sonny Nickle, Sean Richardson, Bryan Henare and Paul Rowley make up the nucleus of the forward thrust, while Terzis can switch his backs round to suit most occasions.

"This will be a big day for the home fans and a big occasion for the Whitehaven followers too. We have plenty of off-the-field activities planned for the fans and the game itself will be top class entertainment," he said.

Whitehaven have yet to reach a final of any sort, but coach Steve McCormack is confident that this could be time.

"Leigh are obviously a top side and must be favourites to go through to the final. This will be a big ask for the Whitehaven players, but we had a very good win against Featherstone last week, when our defence was excellent.

"Oldham beat Leigh a couple of weeks ago and that was a kick up the backside for them, so I know they will want to make up for it by beating us. But we will concentrate on our own game," said McCormack, whose big time experience at Salford has placed him in good stead since he took over from Paul Cullen last year.

With no injuries from last week's victory and second row forward Spencer Miller on the brink of returning from a short lay-off, Whitehaven expect to name from strength.

Ex-Barrow scrum half Darren Holt has now settled in alongside Leroy Joe to make a strong halfback partnership, while Whitehaven's pack is well-drilled in the art of giving little away defensively.

Hooker Marc Jackson, sent off against Featherstone last week, will not appear before the disciplinary committee until after the game, so he can offer a major threat too.

"We will have at least nine coach loads of fans travelling down to Leigh and that should give the players a big boost," said McCormack.

With Leigh having won the Easter Monday clash 19-12, it should give them the edge, but nothing is definite until it's written in stone.