THE Centurions were offered ex-Great Britain star Karle Hammond before he joined up with Salford in the Super League last Friday.

Leigh were approached by Hammond's agent, Tommy Cunningham, and told that Widnes were on the verge of releasing the stand-off or loose-forward after just 10 games and would they be interested.

"It was an interesting phone call," admits Centurions' coach Paul Terzis. "I did give it some consideration and although the financial package wasn't unreasonable, I wasn't sure if Hammond would fit into our team.

"We've got Simon Svabic at stand-off who is playing the best rugby of his life and in Adam Bristow I reckon we've got the best all-round lock outside Super League. I couldn't see myself dropping either of those two for Hammond."

Hammond negotiated his release from hometown club Widnes just 10 games after joining the Vikings in a fanfare of publicity from London Broncos.

"He clearly wasn't happy with Widnes and was desperate to get away. I'm sure he would have joined us had we made him an offer. He's a talented player but I'm not that unhappy that he's gone elsewhere," Terzis added.