MARTYN Ridyard will play through the pain barrier again at Halifax on Sunday as Leigh look to secure a first Kingstone Press Championship away win of the season.

And Centurions’ goal kicking half back says that it is a sacrifice worth making for the good of the club.

Ridyard was not in coach Neil Jukes’ original 19-man squad for last Sunday’s game against Sheffield Eagles after enduring some rib cartilage trouble.

But he put his hand up to play because of Leigh’s half back shortage caused by Ryan Brierley’s dramatic suspension from the club and Rangi Chase’s continued absence.

“There has been some negativity towards the club at the moment and I wanted to do my bit to help the lads out and try to give us a bit of a lift,” said Ridyard.

“Some people might say I am stupid for playing but I haven’t done any more damage.

“I am willing to put my hand up and play to help the boys where I can.

“Everyone is going to jump up on us at the moment because of who we are.

“We, players and staff, have just got to try and ignore it. I know it is tough because fans want answers left, right and centre.”

Brierley’s desire to quit the club has broken up the most destructive half back partnership in the Championship.

And Ridyard, 29, admits: “Ryan has been unsettled for a while and has ambitions to play in Super League.

“But I will be sad to see him leave.

“He is a good kid.

“He still has a lot to learn but he could be a brilliant player.

“However, that’s nothing to do with us.

“It’s between Ryan and the club and we need to keep our heads away from it all.

“Besides, we are slowly building and getting better every week.”

Ridyard is now third on Leigh’s all-time top three points scoring list after kicking six goals against the Eagles to move ahead of Neil Turley on 1,527 points. John Woods (2,492) and Jimmy Ledgard (2,194) are above him.

Coach Jukes had his say on the Brierley saga after a last gasp 36-28 win over Sheffield Eagles but he too has drawn a line under the furore to concentrate on taking maximum points at Halifax on Sunday.

“It’s now a matter between the club and Ryan to deal with,” he said this week.

“I am just focussed on preparing the players for what will be a tough game at Halifax.”

Jukes hopes winger Liam Kay will be fit for the trip to the Shay with Willie Tonga expected back for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie against Workington at Leigh Sports Village on March 19, kick-off 6pm.

However, Lee Smith is doubtful with the bicep issue that forced him to pull out of the Sheffield game minutes before kick-off.

Jukes adds: “Our back line is getting stronger and if we can get through Sunday’s game then I think we will have had an outstanding start to the season given what we have been up against.”

When the sides last met Halifax registered a 34-12 victory in the Middle 8s last September.

n To browse a gallery of pictures from last Sunday's win over Sheffield log on to www.leighjournal.co.uk/sport