THE Centurions know they have another Giant-sized task on their hands this weekend - and they can't wait.

Anyone expecting the mood in the Leigh camp to be a gloomy one after their controversial Challenge Cup exit by Wigan last Sunday would be mistaken. Leigh are in high spirits and ready to tackle the might of Huddersfield Giants, top v second in the NFP.

The only two teams in the NFP with unbeaten records go head-to-head in what is sure to be another highly-charged Hilton Park occasion.

Leigh's head coach Paul Terzis says: "Of course the players were a little down after Sunday's game, not so much they had lost, but by the manner of the defeat. That hurt us most.

Mentally strong

"But I've got a very mentally strong set of players here and by Monday they were already focused on the game with Huddersfield and relishing the challenge of another top quality match. These are the type of games the players want week-in and week-out, something to test them to the limit. My players excel when they are presented with a challenge."

And challenges don't come much bigger at this level than a showdown with the NFP leaders.

"Of course Huddersfield do have an advantage in that the players retained their full-time status after relegation from Super League last season. Everyone else, us included, are only part-time," Terzis points out.

"It's a big plus for them, but I've no worries about my squad. We train more than any other part-time team in the competition, our camaraderie is second to none and we have players of great skill and character."

This is the only meeting between the NFP heavyweights before the play-offs. If they remain in positions first and second until the end of the league season, under the new play-off system they will meet again for the right to advance to the Grand Final at the first attempt.

With the exception of long-term casualties Lee Sanderson and Paul Norman, Terzis expects to have a full squad at his disposal.

He does have a slight concern over winger Chris Irwin who has been suffering from a flu bug as well as a calf strain but skipper Paul Rowley has declared himself fit after ending the Wigan game limping.

"Paul's OK," said Terzis. "It would have taken an elephant gun to stop him playing against his former team anyway!"

Chris Morley will be back after ankle trouble, Simon Knox is available after being cup-tied and Gareth Price is also in the squad after being 18th man last weekend.

There will be another re-union when the teams come out with ex-Leigh favourite Heath Cruckshank in the Giants' 17.

Leigh's scheduled National League Cup game at Whitehaven on Easter Monday, April 1 has been switched to Sunday, April 14 at the Recreation Ground.