A FOUR-WAY battle is developing for the captaincy of Leigh Centurions next season.

Coach Tony Benson sees the role as key one and is prepared to bide his time to ensure he names the right player.

Benson says: "I've always been of the opinion that the captain has a vital role to play in any game. He's my on-field general, he makes the decisions and carries the game plan through. He has to have strong leadership qualities and have the respect of those alongside him on the park."

Long-serving hooker Paul Rowley, former Australian international Jules O'Neill, Junior Kiwi international half-back Aaron Heremaia and prop Ricky Bibey are all thought to have their names in the frame for the leader's job.

"A number of players are under consideration for the role," Benson says. "I may make a decision this week now that we have begun training more as a team and less individually. There are some good candidates here and I want to make sure I get the right one."

Although Benson said that last week's capture of Welsh international centre Adam Hughes was the final piece in his jigsaw, he has since taken ex-Halifax utility back Scott Grix on trial.

"Scott wants to come to us and has agreed to train with us and prove himself on a trial basis," Benson says. "I've seen him in training and he's absolutely impressive. He's a great bloke as well, which is important at this club."

Grix will link up with team for their warm-weather training week in Spain early in January.

Neil Turley resumed full training this week after being laid low since last season with a back complaint. "Neil's had a course of injections and they appear to be working at the moment," Benson said. "It's very early days yet and we'll have to see if he suffers any reaction."

Props Dana Wilson and Warren Stevens will have to sit out the next couple of weeks. Wilson has had minor surgery to clear up a knee problem while Stevens broke a had in training.