LEIGH will be without forward Kurt Haggerty when they resume their battle for Super League status next month.

But the loss of their 26-year-old second rower could be tempered by the return from injury of Gareth Hock.

Haggerty must serve a two-game ban for 'kneeing' match winner Lee Smith during the Centurions' 17-16 Middle 8s defeat by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats last Saturday.

Wildcats' Michael Sio collected a one game suspension for making "dangerous contact to the head or neck" of Gregg McNally in the same game.

Haggerty will now sit out the home fixture against Sheffield Eagles on September 6 and the visit to Halifax a week later. But he will be eligible for the remaining fixtures against Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings.

Ex England star Hock has undergone minor knee surgery since the opening Middle 8's defeat to Hull KR. And this weekend's break from league action due to the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final will give Leigh's talismanic forward extra time to recover.

"He's looking great and it will be touch and go for the Sheffield game," says coach Paul Rowley. "If he's not ready for that then it will be the week after."

Centurions, currently second bottom of the Qualifiers table, have eight points to play for when the competition resumes.

They defeated Sheffield and Halifax home and away during the regular Championship season, beating Bradford at Leigh Sports Village and drawing in the return at Odsal.

Bradford caused the first major upset of the Middle 8s with a 41-10 rout of previously unbeaten Salford last Sunday Sheffield collected their first win, coming from behind to beat Halifax 28-24.

Only the top three teams, currently Hull KR, Widnes and Bradford, are guaranteed Super League status for 2016. Teams four and five will play-off at the ground of the fourth placed side to complete the line-up..

“I don’t think there is a lot between the sides and it’s a true battle on now,” adds Rowley.

Tries from Fuifui Moimoi, Jonny Pownall and Liam Kay gave Leigh a 16-6 first half lead against Wakefield. But Jacob Miller added to Smith’s early opener before touching down again just after the hour.

Smith booted two goals to go with a 69th minute drop goal to earn the Wildcats’ victory.