JACK Hughes is ready to make up for lost time and help turn Leigh’s unexpected season of promise into one of the club’s most memorable campaigns.

Hughes has missed the Leopards’ last 10 games with a calf injury but is poised for a return to action.

The 31-year-old former Wigan and Warrington back row forward described his personal journey since joining Leigh as a “nightmare.”

But Hughes has embraced the squad’s outstanding camaraderie that has taken Adrian Lam’s side to fourth place in Super League and to within 80 minutes of a Challenge Cup final.

After a first defeat in 10 games at Catalans Dragons last Saturday, Leopards host Hull KR on Friday; the last home game before five successive away trips, including the Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

“Personally, my journey at Leigh has been a nightmare,” agreed Hughes. “But as frustrating as it is has been on the sidelines injured and wanting to be a part of it, I have enjoyed watching the team putting performances and wins together.

“I am probably a little surprised where we are currently though being with the group pre-season, I was confident we would avoid the relegation spot quite comfortably and maybe look to finish seventh or eighth.

“We are exceeding everyone’s expectations but we have high standards, expectations are high and the boys have consistently demanded the best of each other.

“We have had a good buy in across the squad and that’s why we are going so well.

“Many people predicted we would be fighting just to stay up but to be fighting and competing for play-off spots and semi-finals and final is a great place to be.”

Hughes suffered his calf tear against Salford on April 8. “The way it happened and the way it felt, I knew it was going to be a long term injury,” he admitted “However, I got my head around it this time I needed to be patient. Usually, I am impatient and want to get back playing as soon as possible.

“I knew I need to get it right and as strong as it needed to be to prevent it happening again.

“Even though I haven’t played I still like to talk up in the meetings, offer advice, be positive around the place, encouraging and inspiring where I can.”

Centre Zak Hardaker and prop Ava Seumanufagai are available after one-match bans but Tom Nisbet still has a game suspension to serve. Kai O’Donnell misses the second of his six-game ban.

Ed Chamberlain was charged with a grade A, dangerous throw in the 38-30 defeat in Perpignan but no further action was taken.

Leopards edged out Rovers 30-25 back in March and are looking for a first home win over the Robins since a 36-10, League Two success at Hilton Park in in 2006.