LEIGH Centurions have announced that Sam Hopkins, currently on-loan to the club from Wigan has agreed a two-year deal to remain with the Centurions starting from November this year.

The 25-year old joined Wigan two years ago but has found himself on the periphery of the first team and after a short spell on dual contract with Workington Town, he rejoined Leigh last year, appearing 20 times before signing a further loan contract with the Centurions ahead of this season.

Sam recently made his 100th Leigh appearance and head of rugby Derek Beaumont was delighted to bring him back to Leigh permanently.

“Sam is a great lad and is Leigh through and through. He has a good attitude and is always looking to get the best from himself.

“His time at Wigan didn't work out and he has continued to progress at Leigh under Rolls and I am delighted to have him back within our family as an outright Leigh player where hopefully he will realise his goal of playing Super League but with his home town club.”

Hopkins originally made his debut during 2011 and has been in excellent form for the Centurions in 16 games so far this season.

“It’s obviously good news,” head coach Paul Rowley added.

“He had the opportunity to go to Wigan and for one reason or another, the opportunity to shine there didn’t come. He’s come back. He was happy before and he’s happy now. For us it’s a quality player that we get to retain, for Sam it’s familiar territory and it clearly brings out the best in him.”

“He’s been in good form, but his form can be a lot better and we’ll be looking for that to improve towards the end of the year.”

In other news French international Mathias Pala has now arrived in the country and could make his first appearance for the club in Leigh’s Reserve team fixture with Dewsbury tonight (Thursday).

Rowley said: “We’ll probably run Mathias in with our reserves along with one or two of the boys. Everybody is fit.”

The game kicks off at 7.45 at Leigh East’s Ledgard Avenue with Paul Anderson’s reserve side keen to follow their impressive 42-12 defeat of Sheffield last week with a good home performance.

Sunday brings about a month of exile for the Centurions when they take on third placed Sheffield Eagles.

Rowley said: “It’s a pleasure to be back home.” Rowley said.

"It’s been a while and its good to be back on our home pitch, in front of our own fans. I’m looking forward to it.

“We all look at scoresheets and whilst it may be surprising to some, I’ve said it all along it’s never surprising to me how close teams are. They have got quality across the park, then you throw in the elements or injury situations at this time of year and there are no surprises. I said at the beginning of the year that everyone was capable and everyone is increasingly desperate now for one reason or another.”

Sheffield won their last game 26-16 against Whitehaven and in recent weeks the usual suspects of Menzie Yere and Misi Taulapapa have found some form. The Eagles are a team well respected by Leigh.

“Sheffield have some real quality, a fine backline and they’ve complimented that with a good pack. There is something to play for, for everyone.”

The game kicks off at 3pm with 20-try halfback, Ryan Brierley set to come back into the side.