LEIGH Centurions have turned back the clock in an effort to spice up their senior squad on the eve of the new Co-operative National League One campaign.

One-time favourite back rower Sean Richardson is back at Hilton Park having signed a contract until the end of the season.

St Helens-based Richardson secured his release from Batley late last week and rejoined the Centurions on Friday.

He is likely to be included in the squad for Leigh's opening double-header against Widnes tonight (Thursday) and Whitehaven on Easter Monday.

With John Hill (knee) and Danny Speakman (sternum) likely to be missing for the rest of the year, Leigh manager Darren Shaw has moved quickly into the transfer market.

In addition to the capture of Richardson, Shaw has also enquired about Wakefield's former Warrington prop, Danny Lima.

Leigh see the vastly-experienced Richardson as the type of player they need to help get their league programme off to a flying start after an indifferent Northern Rail Cup qualifying campaign. Richardson left Leigh for Batley in 2003 and has played in four National League One Grand finals for Leigh (twice), Dewsbury and Wakefield.

"Sean has been at the club before and we know he is still very passionate about the game," says Shaw. He's a good talker on the field, he's very durable, has good size and brings a stack of experience."

Leigh are still waiting for a response from Wakefield over their enquiry for Lima who has found it difficult to break into the first choice 17 at Belle Vue.

Meanwhile Speak was due to have a further scan yesterday (Wednesday) on his fractured sternum - an injury that has plagued him for several months, "The result of the scan will determine which way we go with him," said Shaw. "There's no chance of him being fit anytime soon - it looks like a long job."

Shaw is hoping for better news on two other injured stars. French centre Damien Couturier hopes to be fit for the game at Doncaster on April 15 while second rower Jimmy Taylor expects to get the all-clear from a specialist today (Thursday) after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

The Centurions have appointed Ryan Baxter as the club's new full-time Liaison Officer.

Ryan has a Sports Science degree from Edge Hill University and has previously worked for the community department and Education Champs Centre at Wigan Warriors. He also has extensive knowledge of the amateur club game and structures.