LEIGH Centurions head coach John Duffy has named his 19-man squad ahead of Sunday’s Betfred Championship Round Two game at Halifax on Sunday (3pm).

Nick Gregson and Mitch Cox come into the squad for the first time this season and the four St Helens dual registration and loan players are the same as last week’s Round One victory over Toulouse Olympique.

Prop Luke Douglas plays the second game of his month’s loan while last week’s sponsors Man of the Match Jack Ashworth is again joined by Saints team-mates Matty Costello and Aaron Smith.

The Centurions’ 19 Man Squad is: 1. Gregg McNally, 2. Jonny Pownall, 3. Iain Thornley, 5. Stefan Marsh, 6. Martyn Ridyard, 7. Josh Woods 8. Tom Spencer, 9. Micky Higham (captain), 10. Sam Brooks, 11. Toby Adamson, 12 Andy Thornley, 13 Luke Adamson, 15 Joe Cator, 17. Nick Gregson, 19. Mitch Cox. Luke Douglas, Matty Costello, Jack Ashworth, Aaron Smith.

“Halifax away is always one of the biggest tests of the Championship season and we are looking forward to the challenge,” Duffy said.

“Though Halifax lost at Widnes last week the score-line doesn’t reflect their contribution to the game. They are a well-coached side and the core have been together some time. They’ve added quality to their squad again this year.

“We expect Halifax to throw a lot more at us than Toulouse did and so having the same four Saints lads is massive for us.

“They have all bought into to what we are trying to achieve here and their contributions in training and in last week’s match were there for all to see.

“They all really enjoyed playing for Leigh Centurions and were blown away by the experience of playing at LSV and the passion and noise of the crowd and the way they were welcomed by our fans.

“Playing regular games of good quality will help them each press their claims for a first-team spot at Saints.

“Nick Gregson and Mitch Cox both deserve their place in the squad. Nick has been working hard to get back to full fitness after an operation in the winter and is building up his strength and raring to go. Mitch has been outstanding in the strength and conditioning element of pre-season and has regularly come straight into a session off the back of a night shift and smashed it.

“I’m hoping our supporters travel in numbers over the big hill to Halifax on Sunday and carry on giving us their tremendous backing. They’ve got a massive part to play on Sunday and all season.”