KEIRON Cunningham is keen to extend his short-term stay at Leigh if the Centurions can retain their Betfred Super League status, writes Trevor Baxter.

But Cunningham is delighted just to be back in the game four months after losing his job as head coach at St Helens.

The Saints’ legend has been appointed as Leigh’s new Head of Rugby until the end of the season after owner Derek Beaumont stepped aside due to business commitments.

The announcement of Cunningham’s appointment last Sunday took everyone by surprise. It even caught the former Great Britain hooker, 40, on the hop.

“I have had a decent break and I was planning holding back for pre-season and coming back into it next year,” he told the Journal.

“After speaking to Derek though he convinced me it was a good place to come. He also said it was something he had considered before the 8s started.

“I actually got a call from Marwan (Koukash), who is a good friend, and he said Derek wanted to speak to me.

“It’s been good to recharge the batteries and spend time with the wife and family because I’ve never really had a decent break for the last 24 years.

“But I was itching to get going and so this is definitely welcome.

“Going forward Derek wants to look at the structure of the club and he thinks maybe I can help make them better and stronger for the longer term.

“However, the priority for the club is to stay in Super League. So, let’s cross bridges when we come to them.

“I don’t want to look too far down the line. But if I can have some influence in the next five or six weeks and it does help things I will be pleased with that.

“And if there is something long term we can look at it and I can influence them going forward it would be something I’d be interested in.”

Cunningham’s arrival swells a coaching staff that now includes Head Coach Neil Jukes plus assistants, Paul Cooke and Kieron Purtill.

And he insists Jukes should have no fears about his role. “Me and ‘Jukesy’ are really good friends,” he says.

“I have been in a situation where things weren’t going great as a local lad.

“When you are a local lad you can get picked on a bit more than if you are someone from the outside.

“’Jukesy’ welcomed it with open arms. I think he is looking forward to me tipping some stuff on him. It’s been an enjoyable few days.”

Cunningham joins a club smarting from last Saturday’s 20-16 defeat to Hull KR but still in an automatic, top three promotion place.

But there’s now little room for manoeuvre especially with three fixtures coming up against top flight rivals.

“The lads are disappointed but they haven’t got time to lick your wounds for long periods,” he said.

“They have to get back on the horse because they are up against a Catalans side coming off the back of a heavy defeat at Warrington.

“The boys have trained really well and are in good spirits. They are open to a different slant, a different way and a different system.

“I was at Saints for 24 years and so I bring a lot of experience and look at things a bit differently than what they are used to so it may give them an edge here and there.”

“I am really optimistic.”