NEIL Turley has given Leigh Centurions the news they've been waiting for all week.

"I'm fit, ready and raring to go," declared the 56-try full-back ahead of the NFP Major Semi-Final blockbuster against Widnes Vikings at Hilton Park on Sunday.

Turley gave Leigh a major scare when a recurring back problem forced him out of last Sunday's game against Featherstone at half time. He's been under constant treatment this week but yesterday declared himself fit for Leigh's biggest game of the season.

Troubled since

He first suffered the injury in the week leading up to the Oldham play-off tie and has been troubled ever since.

"It came on again during the first half against Featherstone but with us 22-0 up at half time I came off as a precaution," Turley said. "But I've had a lot of rest and treatment this week and I've told Paul I'm fit and ready to play."

It was just the type of boost Leigh will enjoy ahead of the showdown that many thought would be this season's Grand Final. And with prop Andy Leathem recovering from concussion Leigh have named the squad as last week, except John Duffy returns to the 18 in place of Jason Johnson.

The Vikings and the Centurions have produced some epic battles over the last three years - and no-one at Hilton Park is expecting Sunday's game to be any different.

"There's a tremendous amount at stake for both sides," points out coach Paul Terzis.

Leigh have scored a league double over Widnes this season, winning 25-20 at the AutoQuest and 26-22 at Hilton Park. It's likely to be just as tight again this weekend.

Terzis has studied Widnes closely over the past few weeks and noted some subtle changes they've adopted under Neil Kelly.

"They are playing slightly differently to when we beat them at Easter, but it's nothing we can't handle," he says.

"Obviously we know how they're going to play, but all I'm really concerned about is how we perform. If we play to our potential, no side in this division can live with us.

"It's going to be a tremendous occasion - a great game, great crowd and great atmosphere."

Leigh are confidently predicting a season's biggest crowd of around 6000.

"We've been told to expect over 3000 Widnes fans, so it's up to our supporters to turn out in force and shout us to victory," says commercial manager Kevin Ashcroft.

Sea of red and white

"This is our most important game of the season and I know how the lads would respond if the ground was a sea of red and white. Get out there and shout us to the Grand Final," is his closing message.

Dave Whittle and Chris Morley are in the final 18-man Welsh squad for the international against England at Wrexham on July 31.

The next meeting of the LISA organisation is next Wednesday, July 25 in the Mick Martyn Suite, starting at 7.30pm. Nominations for the LISA Player of the Year will be taken.