LEIGH Centurions step into the cauldron of the new National League One with a tough double header awaiting them over the Easter holiday.

On Friday night they have the unenviable prospect of getting their league campaign off on a winning note at Hull KR and follow it up on Monday night with a Hilton Park showdown against rapidly-improving Whitehaven.

The new National League format brings together 10 teams of comparable quality and Leigh know they will have a real scrap on their hands to qualify for the play-off semi-finals in late summer.

Leigh acknowledge that their form throughout the Arriva Trains competition has been patchy but coach Paul Terzis fully expects his squad to really come together as a unit now the real business is about to start.

"There are 18 Grand Finals ahead of us and we've got to be ready for each and every one of them," Terzis points out. "The quality of the competition is going to be the toughest we've ever faced. Just look at our first three games, Hull KR away, Whitehaven at home and then a trip to Batley - they don't come much harder than those three. The start will certainly test our resolve and strength of character."

But Leigh must open the league campaign without their record-breaking full-back Neil Turley who will be out for at least a month with damaged ankle ligaments.

Turley suffered the injury late in last Sunday's win over Rochdale, minutes after he'd gone in for his 10th try of the season to take his points haul for the year to over 100.

"It's a terrible blow," admitted Terzis. "Neil was coming back his best form after his back injury and was looking to kick on and improve even more. The good news is that the x-ray showed no fracture but he'll be on crutches for the rest of the week. Hopefully that will speed up his recovery, that and intense physio and he could be back in about a month."

Another absentee will be centre Dale Cardoza who has picked up a two-match ban following his red card at Chorley recently.

Leigh's other major concern surrounds prop Sonny Nickle who re-damaged an eye in the first five minutes against Rochdale. "He got a poke in the same eye he hurt the week before at Chorley," says Terzis. "It's a bit of a concern and we've booked him in to see an specialist but Sonny want's to play on. Provided there's no risk we'll let him do so."

Willie Swann (hamstring) and Lee Sanderson (knee) are Leigh's other doubts for Friday's trip to Craven Park. Fans are reminded that the game kicks off at 6pm with Monday's Whitehaven fixture starting at 7.30pm.