KIERON Purtill is playing a waiting game with his team selection for Leigh Centurions’ final regular Championship Shield game at Dewsbury on Sunday.

Leigh remain second in this competition, four points behind leaders Featherstone Rovers.

But injuries and absentees are the coach’s problem this week for the trip to West Yorkshire.

“Hopefully, we can get 17 out but at this stage I can’t guarantee that will happen,” admitted Centurions’ head coach.

“We won’t know how many we have got until we train on Saturday morning and turn up for game day on Sunday.

“The last couple of weeks the team has changed right up until kick-off.”

Ben Reynolds and Adam Walne are both missing through injury, Mitch Cox is unavailable due to work commitments and Liam Hood and Rhys Evans won’t feature again this season due to injury.

“Ilias Bergal has been struggling for a number of weeks and just been getting through games,” added Purtill.

“The amount of games Micky Higham is playing is probably taking its toll on him.

“He is carrying a couple of knocks and we are quite busted as a squad.”

On the plus side on loan full-back Will Dagger is available again after serving a three-match suspension.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone at the club and we look like we are running out of enthusiasm and energy,” added Purtill in the aftermath of Leigh’s 30-16 home defeat to Batley last Sunday.

“But the club, players and staff have been playing Grand Finals virtually every week since we lost at Halifax in March.

“We were at rock bottom then so emotionally more than anything it has taken its toll.”

More sport and this weekend’s match report will be online: leighjournal.co.uk