LEIGH'S vocal support could be the key factor in Sunday's Silk Cut Plate quarter-final showdown with first division Whitehaven Warriors at Hilton Park.

"The fans could swing it for us," declares coach Keith Latham, hoping to steer his side into the semi-final - a game away from Wembley.

"Playing at home might be decisive. I know how much the lads appreciate the support they get from the terraces and if the town can rally round and really get behind us, I'm sure the team will respond."

With top try poacher David Ingram out with a chipped bone in his ankle, Latham must make changes at half-back.

Teenager Scott Hilton is likely to be given his full debut at scrum-half with Jason O'Loughlin moving out to stand-off.

Hilton, one of the big successes of the season so far, has a huge future according to Latham. "He's done really well for us and I've every confidence that he'll be able to handle the situation," he says.

Otherwise Leigh will be unchanged from the side that dumped out another first division side, Swinton, in the last round. The Warriors, who sunk Batley Bulldogs in the first round, base their play around their five overseas imports with scrum-half Leroy Joe an influential figure.

"Just like Swinton last week, we'll not be intimidated by first division opposition. They can do all the worrying," said Latham.

Latham has also been boosted by the anticipated return of scrum-half Shaun Brown who went into premature retirement last season.

"It's because I rate Shaun very highly. He's going to spend a couple of weeks working on a fitness programme on his own and then get stuck into training with the rest of the squad," said Latham. The probable line-up is: Kay; Purtill Veikoso, Donlan, McLoughlin; O'Loughlin, Hilton; Street, Bannister, Pucill, Smith, McGughan, Jukes. Subs: Sarsfield, Hadcroft, Liku, Daniel.

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