LEIGH’S pursuit of former England half back Rangi Chase appears to have ground to a halt.

Despite the Centurions’ much publicised interest and an acrimonious parting of the ways at Salford, Chase appears now likely to resume his career in the NRL or stay in Super League.

Leigh chairman Derek Beaumont has made no secret of his desire to add the 2011 Man of Steel to Paul Rowley’s squad.

And he hasn’t entirely given up hope of seeing Chase in Leigh colours saying: “Until I hear he has committed his future from a reliable source, I will cling on to the glimmer of hope he could become a Leather.”

But the trail has certainly gone cold since late September when Chase’s arrival at Leigh Sports Village seemed imminent.

The former St George Illawarra Dragons and Castleford Tigers star, now a free agent after his acrimonious departure from Salford, had been expected to team-up again with former Red Devils team mates Harrison Hansen, Cory Paterson and Reni Maitua.

At 29, Chase, however, still has plenty to offer an elite side. And if he ultimately believes the Championship is not the best place to showcase his talents in 2016, he won’t be short of suitors.

One player who is ready to start his Leigh career is Dayne Weston. The former Melbourne Storm forward has arrived from Australia and will start pre-season training with his new team-mates tomorrow.

Weston took to Twitter to confirm his arrival in the town: "Wow, unbelievable welcoming to our new home in Leigh. We are so overwhelmed with what Leigh Centurions have done for us.

“Still can’t explain this feeling, so happy to be in our new home.”

Meanwhile, promising Leigh forward Frankie Halton has joined Championship One outfit North Wales Crusaders on a season long loan.

Halton played amateur rugby with Crosfields and Leigh Miners before joining Warrington's scholarship programme.

Crusaders head coach Anthony Murray said: "Frankie is a young lad who has come through a good system at Leigh and will come to the club with the right attributes.

"He wants to gain some first-team experience so he'll be hungry to play and will buy into what we're doing here at Crusaders."

Leigh were among many clubs to send condolences following the sudden death of St Helens-based Super League referee Chris Leatherbarrow on Sunday.

The club tweeted: "All at Leigh Centurions are saddened to hear that Chris Leatherbarrow has passed away. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. #RIP."

Half-back Ryan Brierley tweeted his own message: "Absolutely awful news. RIP Chris Leatherbarrow. One of the good guys. Gutted."

Leigh have secured a pre-season friendly at Warrington next January with date to be confirmed. Two other friendly fixtures are expected to be announced shortly.