LEIGH Centurions are on the verge of handing Gareth Hock a way back into rugby following his release by Salford.

The 31-year-old back row forward left the Red Devils on Monday after receiving a six-match ban from the RFL for reckless play - the latest misdemeanour in the chequered career of the England international.

The Centurions were immediately linked with the former Wigan ace – speculation which has gathered momentum throughout the week and which the club has, significantly, not denied.

Asked specifically about signing Hock, head of rugby, Derek Beaumont said there was "nothing to report" while adding: "We are always interested in class players though.”

Wigan-born Hock has courted controversy during his career in Super League. During his Warriors days, he served a two-year drugs ban from 2009-10 and was thrown out of the England squad on the eve of the 2013 World Cup for a breach of discipline.

Despite his track record, Leigh are understood to be prepared to give the talented and powerful second-rower the chance to help them in their quest for Super League status.

Meanwhile, Centurions head coach Paul Rowley has singled out Wales international Jake Emmitt for his performance in Sunday's hard-earned 18-6 win on a heavy pitch at Halifax.

“He did long minutes.” Rowley said, “To me Jake looked good, he looked comfortable and for such a big guy he can be light on his feet where some of the other boys looked far heavier, far quicker in the shorter spells they did.”

Leigh will look to make it three wins in a row on Sunday when they host London Broncos, another of the clubs relegated from Super League, with Rowley and the club hoping for another bumper attendance approaching the 7,000-plus gate they had for the Bradford game.

Advanced ticket sales had topped 3,400 on Tuesday evening.

London go into the game on a mixed run of results, losing heavily at Sheffield last weekend and against the Dewsbury Rams in pre-season. Their only win so far in the Kingstone Press Championship was a narrow 26-22 defeat of Doncaster.

Rowley will check on the fitness of Tom Armstrong and Greg Worthington and could be without super star forward Fuifui Moimoi who has been given extended leave by the club following the sudden death of his 22-year-old nephew in the United States.

Tommy Goulden and Adam Higson have both been banned for two games following their involvement in a brawl in the Bradford game.

However their loss, has been tempered by first-team players Tom Spencer, Jamie Acton, Michael Platt, Cameron Pitman and Ben Reynolds all impressing as the Centurions held Rochdale Hornets to a 28-28 draw at Ledgard Avenue.

Reynolds top-scored with a try and four goals in the 11-try thriller.