LEIGH interim boss Kurt Haggerty insists his team remain in “a good place” for Friday’s visit of Leeds Rhinos despite the heartbreak of last Sunday’s 34-28 home defeat to Hull KR.

Centurions battled back from 24-10 down to lead 28-24 with 13 minutes remaining only for Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Ryan Hall to earn Rovers a smash and grab 34-28 success.

Haggerty admitted defeat was “a tough one to swallow.” However, he added: “We weren’t far off at all.

“It puts us in a good place for Leeds and hopefully we can have a good feeling again and go and beat them.

“The effort we put in is the driving force for the rest of the season.

“We are still used to being in that set for set cycle. Once we get used to the repetition of staying in games we will win.

“But we put a lot into that game and to come away not winning really hurt.”

Leigh have lost all 15 Super League fixtures in 2021 and kick-off against Richard Agar’s Rhinos, eight points adrift of second bottom Wakefield.

Trinity sacked head coach Chris Chester this week after more than five years in charge.

Leigh have seven games left.

Adam Sidlow was one of Leigh’s top performers against Rovers, including two tries in the second half fightback.

Happily, for Haggerty, the former Salford and Bradford prop, named this week in the Betfred Round 18 team of the week, is available to face Leeds.

Despite a string of fiery incidents, including Sidlow’s challenge on Korbin Sims and sin binnings for KR pair, Albert Vete and George Lawler, there were no repercussions from the Match Review Panel for either side.

Leeds have lost four of their last six games, including twice to Catalans Dragons. They were beaten last time out at home to Castleford Tigers.

Leigh went down 48-18 at Headingley on July 1, a game that saw half back Ryan Brierley suffer a bad eye injury.

He was a guest pundit on Sky TV’s coverage of last Sunday’s game but unlikely to pull on a Centurions’ jersey again this season.

Leigh were reportedly one of four Super League sides chasing Brisbane Broncos half back and new Salford’s new recruit, Brodie Croft. The Red Devils are also linked with Centurions’ winger, Matty Russell.

Former Leigh utility player, John ‘Todder’ Dickinson has died at the age of 87.