LEIGH Centurions under 20s coach Paul Anderson is working hard with his new-look squad which includes hotly tipped BARLA prospect Jamie Tracey.

The rangey back-row forward tips the scales at 95 kilos and is 6ft 3in tall.

This past season the Thatto Heath man has run in 15 tries from 29 appearances.

“He played for their under 18s the season before last and has played in their open-age team this year,” said Anderson.

"He’s probably one of the best back rowers in the amateur game at the moment so he’s quite a coup for us.

"A few clubs were looking at him, including two from Super League and Leeds actually invited him for trials. It took us a while to get him down but after having a good chat with him, he sees his future at Leigh.

“He runs good lines, defends well, is aggressive and has all the traits you want in a back rower.”

The under 20s, like the first team, are back in full training and have been working on weights for the past three weeks.

Also pencilled in is the first friendly for the squad to be played against Oxford’s first team on February 15.