TAU Liku looks to have won Leigh's battle of the props for Sunday's Silk Cut Challenge Cup fourth round tie against Super League big-spenders Sheffield Eagles.

Powerful Tongan Liku is likely to get the nod ahead of new signing Andy Pucill to partner skipper Tim Street in the front row.

Coach Keith Latham is ready to unleash Liku from the start with new signing Andy Pucill on the bench.

"Tau's fully deserved his chance," says Latham. "He's had three big games against Swinton, St Pat's and Oldham in the last couple of weeks and is starting to look like the player we all know he is.

"Andy Pucill is a bit unlucky because he played very well on his debut against Oldham, but it's a squad game these days and I'll have him on the bench so I can rotate the prop forwards."

With Alan Hadcroft still ruled out with a shoulder injury teenager Stuart Donlan, who scored a dazzling nine-minute hat-trick in the last round against St Pat's, is likely to get a centre berth with David Ingram back at stand-off.

Eagles coach Phil Larder will have a number of new recruits in his line-up including former Keighley Cougars pair Nick Pinkney and Martin Wood who just beat the Challenge Cup signing deadline with a £100,000 move.

Leigh have resigned their former winger Gareth Pratt on three months' loan from Dewsbury.

Pratt left Leigh for hometown club Rochdale three seasons ago and last season was a virtual ever present at New Crown Flatt.

His father, Tony, also rejoined Leigh as conditioner in the close season.

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