LEIGH Centurions want Tommy Martyn to finish his career at Hilton Park and complete the family dynasty.

The international half-back was devastated last week when St Helens dropped the bombshell that they would not be retaining his services next season after 10 years at Knowsley Road.

That news immediately alerted the Centurions and head coach Paul Terzis now hopes to set up talks with the Irish international.

"It's no secret that I'm a big admirer of Tommy Martyn," said Terzis. "He's a player of the highest calibre whose been exceptional at the top level for the last decade. He would be a sensation for us.

"I've heard that Tommy has said in the past that he would love to finish his playing days with his hometown club - the club where his uncle and father were legends.

"That could be a big drawcard for us.

"Nothing official has taken place yet but I hope to speak to him and find out what his plans are. I'd be mad not to speak to him."

- and Tommy would be mad not to speak to us."

Martyn, whose early career was with Leigh Rangers, turned pro with Oldham before switching to Saints in 1993.

In his 10 years at Knowsley Road, he was won every domestic honour in the game including the 1997 Lance Todd Trophy and the 2000 Super League Players' Player of the Year award.

But his career has been blighted by injury. He's had two knee reconstructions, four hernia operations and is currently sidelined with a second broken arm. He turned 32 this week.

His uncle, Mick, is the most famous forward Leigh have ever produced. Between 1954 and 1967, Mick played 329 games and scored 189 tries for the club as well as touring Australia with Great Britain in 1958.

Tommy snr had two spells at Leigh, played 165 games. He was a key member of Leigh's championship winning squad of 1981-82 and also toured Australia with GB in 1979.

But Leigh's more pressing business comes this weekend when they battle for a place in the final of the Arriva Trains Cup.

The final destination will be decided this weekend when they go head-to-ahead with vastly-improved Whitehaven at Hilton Park on Sunday, kick off 3pm.

The clubs have the best defensive records in the league and, just as in their last meeting on Easter Monday when Leigh edged it 19-12, there's likely to be little between the sides.

"I'm expecting a tough tight game," says Terzis. "Whitehaven have made it difficult for every side they've played this season and I've no doubt Sunday will be the same. It's a huge day for them. They've not been in too many finals so they'll be busting a gut come Sunday.

"But we're used to handling pressure situations and if we stay focused, we'll get through to the final."

Leigh's biggest concern is John Duffy who is still struggling to shake off the knee injury that kept him out last weekend.

The Centurions will also be without Dale Cardoza who has been suspended for three games and fined £150 for illegal use of the forearm in the defeat at Oldham 10 days ago.

Executive director Derek Beaumont is asking the fans to come out in large numbers for Sunday's game.

"The fans can be our 18th man - the difference between winning and losing. The players love it when the crowd gets behind them and they respond on the field," he said.

The club will continue with their experiment of laying on Super League style pre-match entertainment on Sunday.