MARTYN Ridyard is ready to give Leigh a major boost for their Betfred Super League season opener at Castleford on February 10.

Home grown hero Ridyard returned to full training this week after missing Centurions’ friendly wins over Wigan and Dewsbury with hamstring trouble.

Now head coach Neil Jukes believes the goal kicking play maker will be available for selection to face the Tigers.

And excited Jukes confirmed he is not a “million miles off” knowing his 17 for the testing trip to the Mend-a-Hose Jungle.

On Ridyard’s availability Jukes said: “Martyn had an outstanding pre season before getting the twinge in his hamstring.

“He probably could have played against Dewsbury but we decided to err on the side of caution.

“He is a big player for us and it’s about making sure, across the board, we have everyone up for selection for Castleford.

“It would have been great to get him game time but not to the detriment of losing him for another three or four weeks.”

There is further good news with confirmation Ben Reynolds, James Clare and Willie Tonga should have recovered from the respective knocks that forced them out of Sunday’s 36-4 win over the Rams.

“Ben took a bang to his ribs so nothing major,” said Jukes of Reynolds, Ridyard’s deputy in last month’s friendlies.

“With James, we are pretty hopeful there is not too much going on.

“He has got a small medial (ligament) strain but he seems okay.

“Willie was cleaned out through concussion which was unfortunate because I thought he was doing okay.

“So, hopefully they’re all just bumps and bruises and nothing major.”

On the down side, Jukes confirmed Gregg McNally will be out for up to three months after recent ankle surgery.

“In comparison to last year, it’s nowhere near as bad,” agreed Jukes. “But it’s still not good.

“Gregg worked really hard to get back at a vital time for us in getting us into Super League.

“But around the time he’s ready to return this time, I am sure we will have a few knocks so he will again be a timely addition.”

On the impending trip to Cas Jukes added: “Everyone has had a crack to stake a claim for the opening game.

“A lot of players have claimed a spot but there is an element where some tough decisions have to be made.

“There will be some happy people and some unhappy people.

“We have spoken as a group about supporting each other.

“But I am not a million miles off given we have some tough training days ahead of us.

“We will see how far we have come in both aspects of our game, in attack and defence in eight days’ time.

“That’s the ultimate challenge to see how far this group has come.

“But we are really looking forward to it because we have had a brilliant pre season.

“We have analysed every department and wondered with hindsight would we have done something better.

“But we are pretty happy with how it has all gone.”