YOUNG Leigh Centurions scrum-half Lee Sanderson will be sidelined for at least two months after surgery to repair his smashed jaw.

Sanderson was only released from hospital on Tuesday where he had been detained after being hurt in Leigh's big win at Chorley last Sunday.

While the Centurions remain convinced that Sanderson was the victim of foul play, they are unable to take the matter further because of inconclusive video evidence.

"If the video had shown the incident clearly we would have cited the Chorley player involved and let the RFL authorities deal with it," says coach Paul Terzis. "Unfortunately it doesn't, so well have to let it lie.

Leigh believe the player involved was Chorley's ex-Leigh prop Andy Grundy.

Conscience

"The player concerned knows what he's done, smashed the jaw of a young player. He'll have to play the rest of his career with that on his conscience."

Surgeons have told Sanderson that it will be at least two months before he'll be allowed to play again. "The lad's in good spirits but is naturally disappointed that he's going to miss a big chunk of the season," Terzis adds.

At this stage Terzis doesn't anticipate a move into the transfer market to get a replacement even though they've been linked in recent weeks with a possible move for Featherstone's England Under 21 international, Jamie Rooney.

"We've got a very flexible squad and I'll see how things go over the next few weeks," he says.

Leigh now embark on a run of five successive home games, including next week's big cup tie against Wigan and then the NFP showdown with Huddersfield.

But all their attentions are focused on this week's opposition, Workington

Terzis says: "They've made an impressive start to the season and a rate them very highly. They've got top half backs in Martin Wood and Tane Manihera and a massive pack of forwards. If they click they'll give us a hard time. We've got to make sure they don't click."

Apart from Sanderson and Chris Morley, Leigh will probably have a full squad at their disposal. Back pushing for places after long lay-offs are Dave Ingram and Dave Whittle.

Morley's ankle injury still hasn't cleared up but Simon Baldwin's thigh strain isn't expected to keep him out this weekend. Vila Matautia, Paul Rowley, Jon Roper and Liam Bretherton who all sat out the Chorley game will be back.