DEMANDS for an improved contract from Tongan international centre Jimmy Veikoso have forced hard-up Leigh to put their star attraction up for sale.

Veikoso was today transfer-listed at £45,000 with with Leigh circulating other clubs as to the players' availability.

Disappointed Hilton Park chairman Mick Higgins says: "It's all come down to money. Jimmy asked for an improvement to his contract which runs until December 1997.

"I wish we were in a position to do something about it...but we're not. It would be stupid of us to promise him something we've no chance of being able to deliver.

"Finances are tight and I'm sure the fans would never forgive the club if we started to go down the road of paying players money we can't afford.

"Jimmy has put in a written transfer request. We've tried to persuade him to stay but he's adamant that he wants to move on and try and better himself."

Veikoso has scored 13 tries in 28 senior games for the Hilton Park club.

Meanwhile Leigh are trying to fix up Kiwi stand-off Alan Mason with a club in France.

Mason, who is not being retained by Leigh, fancies trying his luck across the Channel.

Leigh expect to draw up a shortlist of candidates for the Hilton Park coach vacancy early next week with interviews starting a few days later.

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