LEIGH have strengthened their squad in preparation for the new Division One campaign.

And Leigh's move into the transfer market might not have ended with the capture of a quartet of new players.

All four newcomers are young players released by their clubs, moving to Hilton Park on free transfers.

The best known is second row Shaun Geritas who made a handful of Super League appearances for Warrington last season.

Joining Geritas at Hilton Park are Swinton pair Kevin Fox and Dave Harthill. Fox is a stand-off or scrum-half while Harthill is a centre who was previously with Warrington.

Completing the quartet is Gary Thorburn, a goalkicking winger from the defunct Prescot club, who had a couple of impressive games against Leigh last season. "The lads we've signed may not be the biggest names in the game, but they are all eager and keen to take their chance with us," says chairman Mick Higgins.

"We have other irons in the fire and there is the possibility of another new name or two joining us before the season kicks off."

Leigh might well need the newcomers with centres David Hill and Alan Hadcroft facing lengthy injury lay-offs.

Hill could be out for up to eight weeks after dislocating his shoulder in the pre-season game against Widnes while Hadcroft faces a month out after damaging knee ligaments in the same game.

Aussie Steve Garcis, a loose-forward from Balmain Tigers of Portugese extraction, made a suitable impression in his trial debut at Widnes and is likely to get another chance when Leigh tackle Wigan at Hilton Park on Sunday.

Leigh are set to wheel out the big guns such as Tim Street, Sfraz Patel, Andy Pucill and Nick Jenkins after leaving them out of the Widnes warm-up.

Reduced admission prices have been set at £5, £3 and £1.

The recently-completed new dressing rooms below the Supporters' Stand will be used for the first time by the senior squad.

Wigan will be playing their second game of the day when they kick off against Leigh at 3pm.

Three hours earlier they meet Whitehaven in a behind closed-doors workout at Central Park.

Coach John Monie will divide his squad equally to give him the opportunity to see all his players in competitive action.

First team regulars will feature in both games with the remainder of the sides made up of reserve and Academy players.

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