COACH Neil Jukes says he’s in the dark over reports linking Centurions’ stars, Liam Kay and Andrew Dixon with ultimate expansionist club, Toronto.

And after Leigh’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup exit against Toulouse Olympique, Jukes’ priority is returning his squad to winning ways in Sunday’s Kingstone Press Championship game at Featherstone Rovers.

Canadians Toronto are expected to be soon confirmed as League One’s newest club for next year with ex Leigh chief, Paul Rowley, tipped to become their inaugural coach.

But Jukes told the Journal: "I have had no dialogue with either player. We have got a team that is contracted this year and we will keep working hard with it.

“You hear lots of rumours and it’s been spoken in the press that Paul is going to be coaching them.

“So, he has an inside into what our players can do. But it (speculation) is not healthy for the club and not healthy for the players.

“The May (anti tampering) deadline is not even upon us so if things have gone on it could be illegal. We are working hard with Andrew on his rehab and working with Liam to get the performances as good as we can.”

Leigh return to league action following a disappointing 10-8 fifth round cup defeat and are top of the Championship by a point from London Broncos. Rovers, dumped out of the cup by Batley, sit fifth with a game in hand.

Jukes will name a stronger squad than the one humbled by Toulouse. Lee Smith, Liam Hood and Gareth Hock are expected to recover from flu while Harrison Hansen and Rangi Chase come into contention after not being considered for the French trip.

“We had too many players who had too bad a day at the office,” confirmed Jukes of last Saturday’s knockout shocker.

“Individually, I don’t think they are happy with their own game. In a lot of matches, we have put some excellent spells together but we have also put together poor blocks in periods.

“We have got to find some middle grounds where our poor spells are not bottom of the trough.”

Jukes revealed Leigh’s appeal to delay kick-off due to parking issues with the team coach in Toulouse was rejected.

“We could look at a lot of things: how hot it was, the downpour in the last 15 minutes I have never seen anything like before and the travel.

“But we had enough ball and enough territory to win three games never mind one. Our preparation was very good and when we left the hotel, it felt really good in where we were.

“But from the second play of the game our skill levels varied all the way through to the 80th minute and that’s not acceptable.

“If you don’t play your best no one has a god given right to win games. Warrington and Hull KR found that out last weekend.

“Featherstone will be a tough game but it is one we need right now. The harder the games the better.”

Front row icon Fuifui Moimoi is out of hospital after a serious infection left him fearing for his life.

“I am just happy I am still here,” he said.

“I’m very lucky and blessed.”

Jukes added: “We are not sure how long Fui is going to be out for. He may pop his head into training this week to say ‘hello’ but he will get all the time he needs.”

As predicted in the Journal, Hull utility man, Richard Whiting, has extended his loan spell from Hull until the end of the season. The 31-year-old has also agreed a contract with Leigh for 2017.