AFTER a month on the casualty list, pack ace Simon Baldwin is back for Sunday's battle of the NFP heavyweights at Spotland.

Baldwin's return to action is just in the nick of time for the Centurions who have seven players unavailable for the Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Rochdale.

Injury and suspension have bitten deep into Leigh's squad with coach Paul Terzis reduced to a senior squad of just 18. Paul Anderson, Paul Norman and Lee Sanderson have joined the list of absentees.

Anderson misses out after suffering a neck injury in the victory at York last Sunday, Sanderson was hurt in training prior to that game while prop Norman has been handed a two-match suspension. Norman was cited following the punch-up that marred the end of Leigh's win at Simms Cross in the last round.

The RL Disciplinary Panel found Norman guilty of striking and handed out the ban plus a £100 fine. Simmies scrum-half, sent off in the same incident, has ben banned for three games for kicking.

Leigh's other injured absentees are Dave Whittle, Chris Irwin, Kieron Purtill and Dave Ingram.

The good news for Terzis is that Baldwin has recovered from the elbow injury he picked up in the abandoned game at Hull KR while Jon Roper (ankle) and Gareth Price (hand) have also been declared fit.

Confident mood

Price will take Norman's front row spot while Mark McCully replaces Anderson in the centres.

Despite the absentees, Terzis is in confident mood - so much so that he declared his side in midweek.

The starting 13 is: Turley, Andrews, Roper, McCully, Bretherton, Svabic, Swann, Bradbury, Rowley, Price, Baldwin, Isherwood, Bristow. Terzis will choose four from five for the sub's spots - Matautia, Morley, Hamilton, Kendrick, Ball.

"We are quietly confident," says Terzis. "One of the key areas will be which side controls the ball best and has a high completion rate. If we can get those elements right, then we'll do OK."

It is only three weeks ago that the teams fought out a tense 14-14 draw at Hilton Park after Leigh had lost Dave Bradbury early on for a high tackle.

"That game showed how evenly matched both teams are," adds the Leigh boss. It's a semi-final eight months early!

"I know the players felt they'd let themselves down in the draw a few weeks ago and they are keen to put things right and make further progress in the competition."

Leigh are expected to take over 1000 fans to Spotland and although the match is not all-ticket, tickets are currently on sale at both grounds to help ease congestion on match day.

Hornets have allocated the Motorama and Willbutts Lane stands to Leigh fans. Adult prices are £9 and £4.50 concessions. Terrace prices are £6 and £3.