LANCASHIRE Marsden Trophy holders Leigh RMI will give youth a chance when they begin the defence of their title at North West Counties Division one outfit Squires Gate on Tuesday night.

Manager Phil Starbuck is concentrating his efforts on trying to haul the Railwaymen out of the Conference drop zone, but is looking for a win to lift the gloom, following four successive defeats.

"It is a cup competition; we are the holders and we want to win it agin," said Starbuck. "I will use the game as an opportunity to have a look at some of the promising youngsters we have coming through our youth team."

The last thing Starbuck wants is any more injuries after losing influential midfielder Wayne Maden for at least a couple of weeks with a broken nose.

Leigh are still hopeful of snapping up Burscough striker Kris McHale later this week.