LEIGH Centurions expect to be able to start plotting their route to the NFP Grand Final on Sunday night.

A Centurions victory over second bottom Hunslet Hawks at South Leeds Stadium will secure runners-up spot behind long-time leaders Huddersfield Giants.

A four point haul from last night's (Wednesday) game against rock bottom Gateshead and Sunday's trip to Hunslet will mean Leigh cannot be caught in the race for the all-important second spot.

Under the new play-off system, by finishing second the Centurions would be just one game away from their second Grand Final appearance in three years.

After last night Leigh have four league games to play, leaving them needing just one more victory to put them in an unassailable position for second spot.

The maximum points Leigh's fellow contenders can reach is: Rochdale 39pts; Hull KR 38; Doncaster 37; Featherstone 35; Batley 35; Dewsbury 34 and Whitehaven 33.

If Leigh did beat Gateshead last night it would lift their points total to 39 with a far superior points difference to all the teams below them.

Coach Paul Terzis concedes that his side have been chasing second spot for most of the season.

"Huddersfield have been outstanding and to have only dropped one point all season is a great effort. We have only dropped seven points and can feel satisfied with our efforts so far.

"It was vital that we finished second in the table because of the advantages that has when it comes to play-off time."

New format

Under the new format, and assuming Huddersfield and Leigh finish one and two, the Centurions and the Giants would meet at the McAlpine Stadium with the winners automatically going through to the Grand Final. The losers would go into a home semi-final.

"We know didn't do ourselves justice in the league game against Huddersfield," says Terzis. "The guys can't wait to go the McAlpine and turn the tables."

Both scrum-half Bobbie Goulding and prop Vila Matautia could return after injury for Sunday's trip to Hunslet.

Goulding has missed two games with a minor shoulder injury while Matautia is almost back to full fitness after minor knee surgery.

"We'll have a look a Bobbie later in the week, but if he doesn't play at Hunslet then he'll certainly start against Swinton the following week. The same applies to Vila. He's back to 80 per cent fitness."

Leigh have also pencilled in the home game against Swinton as the return date for Dave Bradbury. The prop does not require surgery on his damaged knee and he should be ready to return to action in able a week.

The Centurions' major worry is scrum-half Willie Swann who had knee surgery last week where surgeons found more damage than first thought.

"The medics needed to do more work on Willie's knee and now he'll be out for another three or four weeks. But we are confident that Willie will be ready for the play-offs," adds Terzis.