MICKEY Higham's future will be decided this weekend.
And Centurions' coach Paul Terzis is 'quietly confident' that his outstanding young hooker will still be in Leigh colours next season.
Higham, along with full-back Stuart Donlan, have been transfer targets for Halifax Blue Sox but 'insulting' cash offers from the Super League club have been rejected out of hand by Hilton Park chairman Mike Nolan.
Terzis, back from a trip to Australia, plans further talks with Higham and is confident that he can persuade him that his immediate future lies at Hilton Park.
"There's a very good chance that Mickey Higham will still be with us next season," says Terzis.
"I've got another meeting with him and I think we can resolve the situation to suit all parties. I want the thing sorted one way or another before the weekend is over. I want both players to stay at Hilton Park, but I feel Stuart has decided it's time to test himself at a higher level. Mickey's got time on his side and I feel he'd benefit from another years experience with us.
"Mickey's played less than a full season at first grade level and while his potential is undeniable, I feel he should stick with us and continue to work at his game.
"I'm quitely confident he'll listen to the good advice and stay with Leigh."
The Centurions have rejected cash offers - believed to be £2,000 for Donlan and £10,000 for Higham - from the Blue Sox with Nolan describing the bids as 'an insult.'
The chairman revealed: "The offers were paltry, an insult to Leigh and an insult to the players. Needless to say they were rejected out of hand.
"We won't hold any player back if he's not happy at Leigh but we want reasonable recompense. We've not put prohibitive fees on their heads and would be prepared to go to a tribunal if it came down to that."
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