HARRISON Hansen says nothing less than Leigh’s best will be good enough to beat Salford when they return to Middle 8s action on Saturday, writes Trevor Baxter.

And the former Red Devils favourite believes Centurions can turn last weekend’s dramatic late collapse against London Broncos to their advantage when facing their Super League neighbours at Leigh Sports Village, kick-off 6pm.

Coasting to only a second ever Middle 8s win, Neil Jukes’ side conceded 22 points in the final nine minutes before hanging on for a 34-30 win.

Salford turned in a convincing performance to defeat Huddersfield Giants 34-12 at the AJ Bell Stadium.

“It could be a blessing in disguise and a kick up the bum,” says Hansen of the near nightmare against the Broncos.

“There were plenty of nerves and a lot of the things we did were out of character.

“If we serve up the same stuff we did in that last 15 minutes against Salford they will hammer us.”

Harrison spent two seasons with the Red Devils before joining Leigh at the end of 2015 together with Cory Paterson, Reni Maitua and Rangi Chase.

“Salford look like a tighter knit bunch this season,” admits Hansen of a side that would have crept into the Super 8s but for their six points deduction for breaches of salary cap rules.

“With Tim Sheens on board full-time this season, they are a smart team and can attack from anywhere.

“So, Salford is a big game and it is going to be a real test. If we can get over this hurdle then that would be fantastic.

“We have got a lot of stuff to work on but we at least have a win under our belts.

“Last week was a massive lesson learned. We were just really disappointed with how we played in that last 10-15 minutes.

“To be up that many and then to nearly lose that game was poor. If it wasn’t for the hooter we might well have lost.

“It’s a win but we will have to be a whole lot better against Salford.”

Chase, now at Castleford, scored twice as Salford ran out 46-18 winners in last season’s corresponding Middle 8s fixture at the AJ Bell Stadium.

But Leigh famously dumped their top-flight rivals out of the Challenge Cup courtesy of a 22-18 win.

Leigh’s victory over Broncos came at a price with winger Adam Higson (wrist) and Fuifui Moimoi (hamstring) suffering injuries, making them doubtful for the visit of the Red Devils.

Centre Greg Worthington will miss Saturday’s game and the trip to former club Featherstone on August 21 after collecting a two-game ban for punching Aussie Jamie Soward in last weekend’s win over Broncos.

Both players were sent-off and Soward escaped with punishment sufficient.

Worthington, 26, was charged with a a grade C offence offence which carried a maximum tariff of three matches. He also took an early guilty plea for a grade A striking with the shoulder, Lee Smith or Willie Tonga, Grand Final winners in Super League and the NRL, could deputise.