Following recent media speculation surrounding Gareth Hock’s availability for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Fifth Round tie against Salford Red Devils on Saturday 18 April 2015, Leigh Centurions and Gareth have sought legal advice and on the basis of that advice consider that Gareth will be available for selection for the match.

The Club are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting cup tie for both teams.

Blue touch paper......


Lit!

Good news. Majority of Salford fans are not bothered in the slightest if he does or doesn't play and from what I can understand, the only reason Koukash has a gripe with it is because he agreed with Gareth to continue paying him a salary in exchange that he doesn't play against us for a certain period of time. It sounds to me like a respect issue, I don't understand why Gareth would sign such an agreement and then look to break it at the first available opportunity.

No doubt this will end in a long-winded legal battle with Gaz ending up out of pocket.

I wonder if Marwan is looking at if he can get an injunction to not allow Gareth within a mile of the LSV on the 18th.

Good news all round. Why koukash has made such a big deal out of this I can't understand.

I am surprised Leigh have announced that he will play early in the week though. Gives the Salford coaching staff time to prepare to face a Leigh side that then know will include Hock. I thought they would have left it as late as possible to keep Salford guessing.

I just hope we're talking about a Leigh win after all this complete ridiculousness.

The announcement says he is available for selection. However, given that - in my opinion - Gareth doesn't seem back to full match fitness, there must be a question mark over whether he will be selected or not by Rowls.

This is a very finely balanced cup tie and Rowls will no doubt be considering all options given that we are blessed with a fine squad of forwards. Not an easy one on who to leave out.

I wouldn't play hock as he is way of full fitness he was blowing like chimney on Sunday and Barlow wouldn't play ether he spends to much time winding people up like Sunday when we scored he ran over to the sheff bench and started celebrating not good I would like to see spencer play Saturday. Just my opinion before all idiots start to shoot me down.

Without wishing to get embroiled in the Hock 'will he, won't he' fiasco, I also would like to see Spencer back in the team asap. Don't forget, we also have Ollie Wilkes waiting to get back in the team.

Charlie asked me to post this cos he lives close 2 you.

He asked me not to mention it but I couldn't help it.

Who does Charlie live close to, Frank?

Just asking, cos I've never been one to miss an opportunity to apply for a council tax rebate, on the basis of my neighbours!

He lives just over Butts Bridge

Frank you know I live in the Residential area close to the East Lancs Rd,my neighbours know me as Charles not Charlie as I don't wear my Bowler Hat in the garden.

That's a pity - not even in the same county as me!

That's OK then Alan,Marwan has said he might call after the game for a round of Croquet,I must have the Lawn mowed.

Will that be before, or after, he's done 15 rounds with his oppo at Leigh?

Think that must be me but I don't go over butts bridge that's the rough end

Potentialy agree about Hock, depends if Fui is fully fit or not, I wouldn't risk him, and how Hock's fitness improves in training. Am suprised Spencer hasn't played more, was excellent last year. As for Barlow I'd deffinataly play him, one of our best players, his offloading ability is increadible and he makes a lot of breaks, plus he's one of the best for forcing his way over the line & getting the ball down. He takes a lot of stick from other teams, against Sheffield whenever the game was stopped because of something near Sam all the Sheffield players were crowding round him; aparantaly just before his celibration all the Sheffield bench were yelling "Target Barlow Target Barlow!" So I think he's allowed to wind people up after the amount of stick he gets from them.

Gareth doesn't need to be fully fit..He knows how they play! And thats what worries Salford,not fitness.

Had to chuckle when I read "forcing his way over and getting the ball down.

Against Worky he forced his way over OK but FORGOT to get the ball down

Pictures I have seen shows he did ground the ball though some pictures on LeighLife Pat.

Well he didn't, he got the ball down.


But you know what I mean. Watch as Barlow goes over the line from a short distance, he'll go over stood up, carrying the opposition with him then suddenly drop & ground the ball without being held up. He'd be one of the 1st names on the team sheet against Salford (or anyone) for me.

My only concern with the Hock thing is if the club ends up paying legal fees for him, and that goes on the salary cap.

Why would it. If an individual wants to pay his legal fees, what does that have to do with the club and the SC.