GREGG McNally makes a first competitive appearance of the season at Sheffield Eagles tomorrow (Friday) and told to stake his claim for a place in Leigh’s Middle 8s campaign.

McNally hasn’t played since damaging knee ligaments in the 46-4 pre season defeat at Warrington last January.

He’s watched his team mates recover from a shock opening defeat at Batley to become Kingstone Press Championship League Leaders’ Shield winners for a third successive year with last Sunday’s 58-18 win over Halifax.

Now, the former Whitehaven, Huddersfield and Barrow full-back, 25, is ready to make up for lost time and pick up the challenge thrown down by coach Neil Jukes.

“Our medical staff and strength and conditioning guys have done a great job to get him back earlier than we expected,” says Jukes.

“We have already seen some unbelievable glimpses of what Gregg can do in training during the last three or four weeks.

“He started full contact a couple of weeks ago and has done enough full on training sessions.

“So, he comes in now and has got to challenge for a spot. It’s not a given and he has got to work hard and play well.

“But Gregg is a naturally fit guy so I don’t envisage it being a problem. He is looking forward to Friday night.”

Reni Maitua, Tom Armstrong and Travis Burns also come back into contention for the game at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park after missing victory over Halifax.

“I haven’t been swopping and changing because of poor performances,” confirmed Jukes. “It’s about giving players game time and getting them fine tuned.

“Is the team better than last year? I genuinely feel we are. We have handled season well in regard to covering for injuries and suspensions.

“It has kept the players fresh and kept the mileage out of their legs because it is a busy end to the season.

“As a club, we are in a better position but the challenge is a lot harder this year. However, as a club we are ready for that.”

Last season’s Treble winners, Leeds, Huddersfield and Salford are three confirmed Super League sides contesting the Middle 8’s starting next month.

The final place will be filled by Hull KR, Wakefield or Widnes with the Vikings virtually safe by virtue of a superior points difference. A Middle 8s fixture announcement will be made on July 27.

Leigh’s eventual game with Huddersfield will bring a first competitive reunion against old boy Ryan Brierley who sent a congratulatory text to his former coach after the game.

And while the job isn’t finished Jukes won’t let anything detract from the squad’s efforts so far.

“You should never go away from the fact how hard you have got to work to win this league,” he said.

“We have come through some ultimate battles on and off the field this year and I am delighted we have got some silverware.

“Ultimately, there is a bigger prize to be had. But all we can do is tick the boxes as we go along and we have done that.

“Our first goal was to get in the top four, then it was getting top two status with the benefit of an extra home game in the Middle 8’s and then you want to get the only piece of silverware up for grabs.

“If someone had said when Bradford were in Super League that in two and half year’s time and with two games to go, they might not make the top four in the Championship, you would have thought that ridiculous.

“Indeed, if we hadn’t shown the resilience we have then we would have had more losses. “We are in a good place but we are not getting carried away.”