COACH Neil Jukes is under no illusion about the size of the task Leigh must overcome to become a Super League outfit next season.

But Jukes believes the Kingstone Press Championship winners are in the best possible shape to attack their forthcoming Middle 8s campaign.

Old boy Ryan Brierley’s return with Huddersfield Giants will be one of the highlights of a four-game home series also featuring Salford, London Broncos and Batley Bulldogs.

A trip to 2015 Treble winners, Leeds Rhinos, last season’s Challenge Cup finalists, Hull KR, and Featherstone Rovers make-up the overall seven match programme.

“It’s going to be tough but if we want to play in Super League we are going to have to do that week in, week out,” says Jukes whose squad re-groups tomorrow (Friday) to plan their battle strategies.

“But we have rotated our squad very well over the last seven or eight weeks,” he added.

“There were no injuries from the game with Dewsbury last Sunday and anyone who needed any niggling operations we have got them out of the way “We are not over worked as a squad but we are not undercooked either.

“Everyone has got a decent amount of minutes in them.”

Jukes knows the value of a winning start to the Qualifiers. Twelve months ago in their opening fixture, Leigh led Hull KR 24-6 at half-time, lost 36-26 and won only one of their remaining six games to even miss out on a place in the Million Pounds game.

“It is important to take the pressure off by getting two points in the bag early,” agreed the Leigh chief. “Once you do that it gives you confidence to get another two and keep moving forward.

“It will be difficult because there is some real quality in there.

“Featherstone have just nilled Bradford and we know what Batley did to us at the start of the season so there are no pushovers anywhere.

“So, we will meet up on Friday and have a chat how we target this Middle 8s.

We will have around 27 players in that meeting all fit and ready to go.”

Among the group will be versatile Australian back, Mitch Brown, from NRL leaders, Cronulla Sharks.

“Brown arrived earlier this week to start his two and a half year contract.

“I did a lot of homework on Mitch and you don’t play more than 100 NRL games if you are a mug,” added Jukes.

“I have also done a lot of research about him as a person and he is a top bloke.

“There’s not one person had a bad word about him.

“He has played a lot of big games so he will add a lot of professionalism and culture to the group.”

Leigh fixtures for the Middle 8s Qualifiers.

1. Saturday, Aug 6, London Broncos, H, 6pm.

2. Saturday, Aug 13, Salford Red Devils, H, 3pm.

3. Sunday, Aug 21, Featherstone Rovers, A, 3pm.

4. Saturday, Sep 3, Hull KR, A 3pm.

5. Saturday, Sep 10, Huddersfield Giants, H 3pm.

6. Saturday, Sep 17, Batley Bulldogs, H 3pm.

7. Friday, Sep 23, Leeds Rhinos A 8pm.

Teams finishing 4 v 5 will play off for a Super League place.

Leigh’s end of season won’t come until September but the club’s annual player of the year awards, including three course meal and entertainment, take place at Leigh Sports Village on August 25.

For details contact Matthew Chantler on 01942 487818, or e-mail matthew.chantler@leighrl.co.uk.