LEIGH’S Summer Bash stars Micky Higham, Gareth Hock and Jamie Acton have been suspended without facing a disciplinary hearing.

The trio had been due to attend the Rugby Football League headquarters on Tuesday but the club requested a postponement due to the “unavailability of club representatives.”

The hearing now takes place on June 7 but the three forwards are banned for Saturday night’s Kingstone Press Championship game at Whitehaven.

In agreement with the game’s governing body, the match will count towards any future punishment imposed next week.

Higham, scorer of Centurions’ late, match winning try against Bradford at Bloomfield Road, is charged with making a Grade D dangerous throw in the stormy win over Swinton on May 22.

Acton faces Grade D charges of punching and striking with the knee in the same game.

Hock has also been hit with a punching charge plus one of making contact with a match referee.

Despite their absences coach Neil Jukes is confident Leigh can open up a five point gap on second placed London Broncos before the Ealing club tackle bottom of the table Workington on Sunday afternoon.

Key forwards, Cory Paterson and Fuifui Moimoi, are expected back while on loan Brad Fash, who missed out on Summer Bash, could come into contention.

“They will be up for selection and we have got some good people ready,” confirmed Jukes.

Paterson, who scored a hat-trick in a 60-6 win over Whitehaven at Leigh Sports Village on April 10, hasn’t featured since a 30-24 victory at Featherstone on April 24.

Moimoi has missed more than two month after being hospitalised following an arm infection which left him in intensive care.

However, half back Martyn Ridyard is again expected to miss out.

He was due to have a scan on a groin issue before the Journal went to press.

“We have got to make sure we manage our squad right so everyone is ready to go in seven or eight weeks time,” said Jukes. “We need to have enough strength across the board.

“And happily, we had a clean bill of health coming out of the Bradford game.”

Jukes has also welcomed the appointment of Hull FC and Hull KR favourite, Paul Cooke, as assistant coach.

The former Doncaster boss took his first full day of training on Tuesday after watching Leigh’s thrilling win over the Bulls.

“He has a lot of experience and I like what I see,” enthused Jukes.

“He offers genuine support for myself and Paul (Anderson) and it’s all about the team.

“He has a passion for the game and to get Leigh Centurions to where he believes they should be.”

Cooke was looking forward to taking on the role following his stint in rugby union.

He said: “The players at this club are skilful, athletic, strong and I’m sure driven to succeed. I want to be a part of that journey, help with my knowledge and understanding of the game and in succeeding in this game.

“I cannot wait to get started in this new challenge and chapter of my life, to hopefully bring success in a measured way to Leigh Centurions.”