MICKY Higham can’t wait to finally play a part in Leigh’s quest for a first win of the new Betfred Super League campaign.

And the Centurions’ skipper’s sentiment is probably shared by his wife and young family.

Higham was side-lined for Leigh’s opening defeats to Castleford and Leeds with a calf strain.

But barring an 11th hour set-back the ex Saint is due to face one of his former clubs at Leigh Sports Village tomorrow night.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game and you have to deal with them,” agrees Higham, a former Grand Final winner with St Helens.

“I never take for granted what I do and there is an awful lot of hard work and dedication behind the privileged job I am fortunate enough to have.

“At the club I’ve tried to maintain a positive face. Maybe though my family have seen the down side.

“Maybe I’ve gone home and done some sulking,” he admits. “So, I need to get back playing now- I’m fed up.”

All his frustrations will melt away when he runs out in front for a first ever Super League meeting against St Helens at Leigh Sports Village.

The 36-year-old hooker will do so in front of a bumper crowd boosted by more than 2,500 visiting fans.

“The scene is set for a great occasion,” agrees Higham. “In the last 10 or 15 minutes against Leeds last week the noise from the North Stand really lifted us.

“Saints defensively are up there with the best and with their best players returning are potent in attack.

“But nights like this are why we strived so hard to get out of the Championship. You have to test yourself against the best.”

Higham’s return compensates for the loss for four months of prop Antoni Maria. The French forward tore his pectoral muscle in the 17-14 defeat to Leeds and joins Gregg McNally and James Clare on the long term injury list.

Hooker Liam Hood has also undergone surgery on a broken jaw and won’t feature for another month.

“Antoni’s a fit lad with a great attitude who has been brilliant in pre season,” added Higham. “So, it’s a big loss for him and big loss for us.”

Coach Neil Jukes, who hopes ex GB star Gareth Hock will have recovered from a dead leg to face Saints, remains full of optimism despite the opening defeats.

“We have not had two losses together for seven or eight years. But the training, the morale around the team and the way we are going about our business is brilliant.

“I am enjoying coming to work as much as I ever have done. Saints have had a week off but we just want to keep playing.

“It is another big test for us but we will be ready. I can’t stress enough how important the atmosphere they create is in helping the players.”

Jukes could recall Lachlan Burr from his dual registration spell at Sheffield Eagles to make his Leigh debut. But Dayne Weston is likely to remain at the Championship club after featuring in last Sunday’s 42-18 defeat at Halifax.

Weston had pre season ankle surgery and Jukes says:“It was a big operation and bigger than we originally anticipated when they opened it.

“Dayne’s pre season, regarding his running loads, only started in January when some of the guys started in November.

“He isn’t far off getting back in the side. But we need to look at the bigger picture and what we need from him this year. So, when he comes back he needs to be in the same condition he was at the back end of last season.”