DAYNE Weston has brought forward his retirement and will now play his final game for Leigh in the Betfred Super League Round 20 game at Catalans Dragons on Saturday, 1 July.

Weston, who won a trio of top awards at the 2016 presentation evening as Players', Coaches' and LCTV Player of the Year for his prominent role in achieving promotion to Super League recently announced his retirement with effect from the end of the season.

The popular 30-year-old Australian prop will now undergo urgent ankle surgery and stay in this country until the end of the current campaign as he joins the coaching staff in a support role.

Centurions Head Coach Neil Jukes said: "Dayne will be going in for an extensive and brutal operation on his ankle immediately after the Catalans game.

"We have tried to manage this injury for a few months now but given the hard grounds and the extensive rehab being undertaken the operation is imminent.

"It's been a tough few days for Dayne as the dawning realisation comes that his playing career is almost over.

"But he has dealt with it as a true professional. His playing career doesn't finish until the last tackles have been made.

"Dayne is now looking forward to producing the best two games of his career and we then look forward to him joining our support staff to see how the other side works.

"Dayne's foot will be in a pot for a few months, but he will continue to assist our backroom team to ensure he remains involved in our Club achieving its 2017 goals."

Centurions owner Derek Beaumont has ensured that Dayne's wife Jess and children Jett and Blaze will travel to France to watch his final game along with his Father who is flying over to the UK from Australia to be part of it.

He said: "I would also like to place on record the true pro that Dayne has been in dealing with this.

"It is important that our fans know so they are not deprived from watching his last game and are able to sing him off how he deserves.

"Many fans won’t be able to make the trip to Catalans so will want to be able to watch him at Widnes and give him the vocal support and send-off he deserves.

"His children will lead him out at both games and I know Dayne is very proud of his children and it will mean a great deal to him

"Dayne has a serious injury that he has dealt with bravely and it is very pleasing that he will continue to play a major role in the remainder of our season off the field.

"Many players would just deal with this differently looking out for themselves but Dayne knows how much the future of the club means to the people of Leigh and the importance of being in Super League.

"Dayne will also be given a big send-off from the fans at LSV at the Salford Red Devils game, which marks the end of our regular season.

"His impact in the short space of time he has been at the Club is somewhat unique to me and I know a lot of people will be upset that his playing career is ending earlier than intended.

"Dayne now has the two biggest games of his career to look forward to against Widnes and Catalans.

"It goes without saying he will put everything he has in his body into the games which will be a massive boost for us.

"Both games are on Sky Sports and whilst I know Dayne will put himself under immense pressure in the games I hope he will also enjoy them for what they are as they are precious moments you can’t get back.

"Jukesy and me will ensure Dayne gets the respect and send-off he deserves and I have no doubt our fans will buy into and support that."