LEIGH Centurions are at the centre of a drugs shock ahead of their NFP Grand Final showdown with Huddersfield.

Welsh international back rower Chris Morley has been suspended for three months after providing a recent urine sample that contained ephedrine that is contrary to the regulations.

Morley's suspension has been imposed with immediate effect and he has 14 days in which to appeal against the Doping Control Panel's verdict.

He was thought to be in Leigh's squad for Saturday's Grand Final but has now been withdrawn. The second rower will also miss the chance to represent Wales again when they take on the touring New Zealanders next month.

Leigh head coach Paul Terzis said: "It's unfortunate but the club will not be making an appeal on Chris's behalf. The short sentence indicates it is a relatively minor offence but he is now not in my plans for Saturday. It's disappointing but it won't affect our preparations."

A statement from the Centurions reads: "Whilst the Leigh club obviously do not condone any form of substance abuse be it recreational or performance enhancing, we do believe that Chris has been a victim of naivety in this case.

"Both he and the club accept the punishment however and as far as we are concerned the matter is now closed."

Morley has told the club that he bought an energy-boosting preparation over the counter without knowing it contained ephedrine, which wasn't listed among its ingredients.

Ephedrine is a stimulant and decongestant which is generally used to relieve bronchial complaints. It is on the International Olympic Committee list of banned substances for athletes.