TOMMY MARTYN will not be joining Leigh. And, in a double blow, neither will his St Helens team-mate Paul Davidson.

Stand-off Martyn, 28, has decided to stay and fight for his place at Knowsley Road while prop Davidson has joined London Broncos.

While disappointed they failed in their sensational double bid, Leigh say they are still in the market for quality players to boost their chances of stepping up to Super League. They worked hard on an attractive package for Martyn who had apparently been told he could leave Saints.

"In the final shake-up it didn't come down to a pure financial decision," revealed coach Ian Millward.

"We produced a package Tommy found attractive but he was swayed by the way he has been treated by Saints.

"He wants to win his place back in the side and prove some people wrong. "We tried hard to persuade him to join us but the decision is out of our control."

Millwards also revealed how close he was to signing Cumbrian Davidson.

"But the lure of continuing in Super League was the big draw card," he said.

"Paul kept us informed all the way and I appreciate his integrity."

Leigh could now turn their attentions elsewhere.

"Any deals must be viable for the club," added Millward. "The players have to be in positions I want to strengthen and have to be of the right quality."

Meanwhile, Craig Dean whill start his comeback after missing the last five games with neck and shoulder injuries in Saturday's Alliance game at Workington.

But he will not be considered for Sunday's trip to Hull KR.

"He'll need a game or two to get back into the groove," said Millward. "But I'm sure he'll bounce back quite soon."

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