Adrian Lam admits a return to Leigh for former favourite Kai O’Donnell remains on the cards.
But Leopards’ head coach says there is no certainty the former Super League Dream Teamer will sign before the transfer deadline date of August 21 for permanent arrivals.
Aaron Pene’s departure this week intensified speculation Leigh will recruit at least one new face to bolster their squad for the end of season push.
Lam’s side entertain York Knights on Friday night, one of six remaining games of the regular campaign.
They then travel to Leeds, host Bradford, play at Huddersfield before two final games at LSV against St Helens and Wakefield.
“Kai’s name keeps coming up,” said Lam of a player out of contract with the North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the season.
“He is one we respect. I have always said if we were to ever bring some back it would be a player like Kai. He is the ultimate professional.
“We will, if there is an opportunity, reach out and speak to him.
“But there are several names that are available. We have to filter through them and make sure we come up with the right one.”
Pene played 30 times since arriving in June 2024.
“I remember his first game at Leeds and he was unbelievably brilliant,” enthused Lam.
“But we haven’t been able from that moment to keep him on the field for long periods of time (due to injuries).”
Lam also confirmed Leigh fans may not have seen the last of Bailey Hodgson in a Leopards’ shirt.
Confirmed this week as a Hull FC player for next year and 2027, Hodgson, who has scored 10 tries in 40 appearances since returning from the NRL, had been ruled out for the current season with an elbow issue; at one point considered career threatening.
However, Lam said: “Bailey is back in the system and rehabbing with us. It is difficult to fast track that but it has opened a small window.”
Edwin Ipape is available again after missing the 20-8 home defeat to Wigan last week. Super League’s top try scorer ever, Josh Charnley, is rated as a 50-50 chance.
Leigh ran out 18-6 winners in the reverse fixture against York. “It’s going to be a tough one. If we don’t play well it’s going to be a ding-dong battle,” he said of opponents who stunned St Helens 34-32 last Saturday.
On his own side’s battle of the Borough setback he added: “Our first 40 minutes was unbelievable. “To get that level of performance was exceptional. We are very close to being very good as a team.
“It has taken a long time this season to get to this point. If we can get our performance right and be professional for the last six weeks we could end up with a home final. “But it’s going to come down to the last game.”
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