SUPER League newcomers Leigh Centurions will make their Magic Weekend debut against neighbours Salford Red Devils at Newcastle next May.

And coach Neil Jukes is excited by the prospect after guiding his team into the top flight for the first time in a decade.

Leigh and Salford, who only saved their elite status in dramatic fashion in the Million Pounds game against Hull KR earlier this month, will clash at St James’ Park on Sunday, May 21.

“It will be a good challenge, a different arena, a bigger occasion than we have been used to with Summer Bash,” said Jukes.

“And while we want to get stuck into it.

“I also hope we can enjoy it as well because we have earned the right to have good days out.”

Though Magic newcomers, Leigh are no strangers to weekend rugby league festivals having twice appeared at Summer Bash in Blackpool.

They achieved a 100 percent success rate at Bloomfield Road, beating Featherstone Rovers 31-12 in 2015 and edging out Bradford 24-20 thanks to late Mickey Higham try.

“I thought Summer Bash was a brilliant event for the Championship and I am sure the Magic Weekend will be exactly what it says and that is Magic,” added Jukes.

“But it will be a new experience for me and for some of our players.

“I have never even been to St James’ Park.”

The full Magic fixture list is: Saturday May 20: Widnes Vikings v Wakefield Trinity (14:30); Hull FC v St Helens (16:45); Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (19:00).

May 21: Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants (13:00); Leigh Centurions v Salford Red Devils (15:15); Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos (17:30) Salford have won only three of their nine Magic matches including last season’s win over Widnes.

Meanwhile in transfer news Jukes admitted Leigh “weren’t a million miles away” from landing front rower Adam Walker who has been snapped up by St Helens after Hull KR’s relegation to the second tier.

“We were one a few clubs who liked Adam,” confirmed Jukes.

“He is young, he is English and like Keiron Cunningham said, he has his best years ahead of him.

“There are not too many players like Adam about at the moment.

“But it wasn’t critical we landed him and it is not going to affect our plans over pre season.

“We still have an abundance of very good middles and a very strong pack.

“However, Super League will be a tough ask with short turnarounds and it is going to take its toll on our squad. Another body would have certainly helped but we would only have taken on the right person.

“If we can put out our first 17 we will be a match for anyone.

“But when Super League takes its toll and we have a couple of injuries or suspensions then we have got to make sure the one stepping in isn’t as far off the quality of the one dropping out.”

Leigh have also been linked with 2015 Man of Steel Zak Hardaker.

But Jukes said of the former Leeds Rhinos full back, who has been overlooked by England selectors: “I have had no lengthy discussions over it.”