NEW boy Lachlan Lam doesn’t expect favours from his dad when it comes to earning the right to wear the Leigh shirt.

Lam came off the bench to enjoy a try scoring debut in Centurions’ 46-16 Summer Bash success over Featherstone Rovers at Headinglwy.

With Ata Hingano’s future at York, it’s a battle between Lam, Ben Reynolds - the player he replaced - and Joe Mellor to lay claim for a starting half back role.

“I have only done it once so far, but it’s good,” he said of playing under dad and head coach, Adrian Lam.

“However, everyone respects him as a coach. So, he will make the right decisions for the team regardless of whether it’s me or not.”

Getting to work with the ex-Wigan and Sydney Roosters star was a contributory factor in Lam junior’s decision to quit the NRL for the Betfred Championship.

But Lam admitted: “It wasn’t an easy decision but I am glad I have done it. I had a few offers from NRL clubs so I had to weigh up what I thought and what my family thought was best for my career.

“I like to play a certain style of footie. So, to build my confidence back up by taking the line on and running the ball in were big reasons I came to Leigh.

“I have grown up playing a certain style of footie so I am excited to bring that out and showcase it to not only the fans but also the team.

“It’s new beginnings; so getting a little uncomfortable at first to feel comfortable again going forward.

“There is a good group of boys here who have got something special going on. For me, it’s about fitting into what they have been doing and adding my own bits.”

Leigh’s third successive win over Rovers this season, marred only by a sending-off for Nene Madonald, the Championship’s joint leading try scorer, took Centurions five points clear at the top of the table and secured a home play-off semi-final.

Barrow’s visit on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) is one of six remaining regular season games with four at Leigh Sports Village. The Cumbrians pushed Centurions all the way at Craven Park back in June with a late Blake Ferguson try and Reynolds conversion securing a 30-28 win.

If chosen, Krisnan Inu and Ferguson could achieve personal milestones. Inu, starting the latest round of matches just four points behind Championship leader, Craig Hall, needs seven for a career tally of 1,500.

Ferguson, who has touched down 12 times in his brief Centurions’ spell, requires another three for 150 in his career.