JUST 24 hours after the resignation of coach Eric Hughes, Leigh have already had three enquiries for the Hilton Park vacancy.

One application has come from overseas while the other two are from much closer to home. But Leigh will preserve confidentiality until an appointment is made.

"It's encouraging to know that some people still see the Leigh coaching job as an attractive proposition," says Hilton Park chairman Mick Higgins.

Although Leigh want an appointment as quickly as possible, they have set a time scale of two to three weeks before a new man is installed.

Leigh will weigh up their options once the post has been advertised in various RL publications.

Hughes is expected to be confirmed as Wigan youth supremo later this week.

Meanwhile, Leigh have landed three top youngsters from the town's English Schools' Premiership squad.

They have signed 16-year-olds Mark Southworth and Michael Higham and 15-year-old Gary Gittins. Southworth and Gittins are both second rowers while Higham is a hooker.

"These signings are a major achievement for us," says Leigh's Football Director Allan Rowley. "Hopefully these will be the first of several signings from the schools squad. We have our sights on a few more."

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