ERIC Hughes believes he's going to have to be cruel to be kind if he's to turn Leigh round.

Three weeks into his new job and the ex-St Helens coach now knows the full extent of the task he's taken on.

"If we are going to get the club back on its feet the players are going to have to be able to take honest criticism on the chin," he explains.

Hughes has pin-pointed the players' skill levels as his biggest problem. "Some of them are appalling for professional players," he says.

"So besides building fitness and tactical work into our training schedules, we've also got to add sessions for skills."

Hughes knows he has to get tough and some players won't like his methods.

He has already shown his tough side by putting skipper Shaun Bannister on the transfer list.

"Shaun came late for training last Thursday so I had a chat with him and I think it's better if he finds a new club," adds Hughes.

"Each week Shaun seemed to have a different problem. He wasn't settled at all."

Hughes knows his hands are tied financially. "We know that the team needs strengthening but we can't address that problem until we come out of administration.

"Until then I've got to work at improving the players I have available."

But even that has taken a blow with highly-rated Australian conditioner Nigel Ashley-Ward being head-hunted by Super League neighbours Warrington.

"Nigel has worked at Perth Western Reds with John Dorahy and they've courted him strongly. We can't match the deal he's been offered.

"It will be a huge blow if we lose him. He's a very enthusiastic young lad who has been a tremendous help to me in my time here."

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