MICKEY Higham is returning to familiar ground as he bids to put a topsy-turvy pre-season behind him, and begin a new chapter in his rugby league career.

In October, the Great Britain hooker endured one of the most bizarre transfer sagas in living memory, as his registration passed between the hands of St Helens, Bradford and finally Wigan - for whom he will make his debut at the Coliseum on Wednesday night.

With JJB legend Terry Newton passing in the opposite direction to Odsal, Higham is now charged with helping propel Wigan back into the upper echelons of Super League from the number nine spot.

Leigh born and bred, Higham left his home town club as a 19-year-old, moving to join St Helens and his former Centurions coach Ian Millward.

"I loved every minute of playing for my home town team," said Higham, who has once again linked up with Millward at the JJB.

"There is a lot of rivalry there between the two clubs, I know, but I think people in the town know I moved for rugby reasons.

"I can't wait to play for Wigan. I never thought I would say that coming from Leigh and playing for St Helens but it is a fresh challenge and one I am looking forward to."

Super League 10 proved to be Wigan's annus horribilis, with injuries, illness and poor form adding up to a disappointing seventh-placed finish.

But with six new names on the roster for 2006, Higham believes things are about to change.

He said: "This is a massive club. You only realise that once you are here. It is probably the biggest in the world if you speak to most people.

"It is a new set-up with six new players and if you look at the pack Ian has brought in, it will be an exciting pack.

Wigan will be missing Aussie stand-off Bryan Fletcher, Kris Radlinski and Gareth Hock. But new signings Mark Calderwood, Scott Logan, and Iafeta Paleaaesina will also make their bow.

Centurions will name an unchanged side from the one which beat Widnes, with only Richard Moore missing through suspension.

Prices for the game, which kick-off at 7.45pm, will be £10 adults and £5 concessions.

Confirmed line-ups - Warriors: Ashton, Calderwood, Brown, Vaealiki, Dallas, Orr, Moran, Logan, Higham, Paleaaesina, Tickle, Tomkins, OLoughlin.

Centurions: Grix, Manu, Speakman, Hughes, Greenwood, ONeil, Forber, Stevens, Rowley, Bibey, Grundy, Glassie, Roberts.