KURT Haggerty will receive at least one more chance to prove he’s the right man to preserve Leigh’s Betfred Super League status.

Both interim boss Haggerty and crucially owner Derek Beaumont are happy for the present arrangement to continue.

On Saturday (kick-off 3pm), Centurions host in-form Catalans Dragons whose coach Steve McNamara has been named Super League’s top boss for May.

And despite a 30-20 loss at Wakefield last Sunday in Haggerty’s first game since John Duffy’s departure as head coach, he and the owner were encouraged by what they saw.

Speaking after the match-his side’s ninth straight defeat-Mr Beaumont said: “We will take it week by week.

“But I am not going to put someone in there for the sake of it. I will do what is right for the club, what is right for the group and what will give us the best chance of staying in Super League.

“Kurt has put his hand up to lead the team out this week. And I saw a group of boys who responded to what he did.

“We played completely different rugby, defended really well and had a good dig. I think that has earned the right to continue what he is doing,” added Mr Beaumont who confirmed at that stage there had been only three applications for the vacancy.

Former London boss, Andrew Henderson, due to leave his assistants’ role at Warrington at the end of the season, is touted as one of the front runners to replace Duffy.

Leigh’s performance, including a starring return after injury for half-back Joe Mellor, was all the more commendable as it was achieved without any props on the bench.

For the visit of Dragons-winners over Warrington, leaders St Helens and Hull FC in their last three outings-Haggerty should be boosted by the returns of Ben Flower, Nathan Mason and Nathaniel Peteru. Ben Reynolds is available after suspension.

“I will keep taking charge of the team until further conversation with Derek,” said Haggerty. “And there is no rush for the chat at the moment.

“I am sure we will have chat about moving forward, whether that’s with me or without me. But it is not on my mind at the moment-I just want the team to play well.”

Ex Widnes and Toronto half back two-try Mellor certainly contributed to an improved display.

“Joe is a fantastic player, a top end Super League player in my opinion,” confirmed Haggerty.

“For us to get better and start winning games, Joe is going to be an important part of that.

“We should have a couple of middles back this week which will be crucial for us,” he confirmed. “I could have some tough decisions to make on who misses out.”