ADAM Higson has never endured a tougher pre season but the Leigh Centurions winger is not complaining.

And Higson has already been rewarded for his hard work after Super League’s newest club unveiled shirt numbers for their much anticipated 2017 campaign.

The self confessed schoolboy Salford fan has been handed the number two jersey, suggesting he’s in pole position to claim a starting place for next month’s friendlies and a competitive season opener at Castleford.

“Pre season training has stepped up a significant amount but I think it had to,” said the 29-year-old flank flyer, enjoying a break, like the rest of his team mates, until January 2.

“Playing in Super League will be a new challenge for myself and other boys in the team. But it is something we have been looking forward to for such a long time.

“I know it is hard work in training but we are going to need it. It’s tough but everyone gets on with it. There is no moaning.

“I am quite a laid back guy and like a laugh but this year we’ve turned up to work and just got our heads down,” added Higson who made his Centurions debut in 2009.

“We did well in the Middle 8’s last season but next year we are going to have to perform like that week in, week out. It’s going to be a big step up in class.

“We are looking forward to it but I guess for some of us we don’t know what’s coming.

“A few lads have played in Super League but a large proportion haven’t done so.

“However, whether it is sport or a job in general you always want to get to the top. Playing in Super League is something I have always wanted to do.”

Leigh entertain Wigan (January 22) and Dewsbury (January 29) at Leigh Sports Village prior to facing Castleford. However, the lure of facing neighbours Salford on April 14 remains high on Higson’s agenda.

“I have been a Salford fan since I was young and watched them everywhere,” he confirmed.

“I used to stand in the Shed, watching the likes of Malcolm Alker while dad would take us away as well “So, it’s always nice to play against Salford.

“But I am also looking forward to the other derbies: Warrington, Widnes, St Helens and Wigan obviously.”

In revealing squad numbers before a well earned Christmas break, head coach Neil Jukes explained: ”We have a lot of new players in the group and a big part of persuading them to join the Club was that we started pre season with a blank canvas.

“It was up to them to claim their spot ahead of the season.

“The guys from last season that have retained their spots have fit the criteria on and off the field and the people that have taken spots have earned them.

“But as I have said many times, this year will be all about the full 27-man squad all contributing at different times during the season.

“It is important that each player does what he can, on and off the field, to be in the team every week.

“These squad numbers are an early indication of where we are after six weeks of pre season.

“But we still have another six weeks of training and two trial games to come before we start our Super League campaign at Castleford Tigers.”