LEIGH have opened talks to extend Richard Whiting’s loan but have released Richard Owen and Lewis Charnock with the easing of the club’s early season injury crisis, writes Trevor Baxter.

Charnock’s return to St Helens comes with Rangi Chase back in full training this week.

Versatile Whiting has appeared seven times since joining on a two-month deal from Hull FC, including last Sunday’s 40-18 win at Dewsbury.

“We are keen to renew Richard’s contract,” said coach Neil Jukes.

“I have spoken to him and he is more than keen to stay. We like Richard being here.

“I just hope all three parties can reach an agreement going forward. But he’s here anyway until the game after the Challenge Cup.”

Stand-off Charnock has featured more sparingly and Jukes adds: “With Rangi back in the fold, while he has been great for us, there won’t be much room for Dougie now.”

Chase could now feature against Whitehaven at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday when Centurions seek a seventh successive victory.

But assistant captain Harrison Hansen can put his feet up after being concussed last weekend.

“We will rest ‘H’ up this week which was always the plan and we will monitor him again going over to Toulouse,” said Jukes. “But he has had all the checks and he is okay.

“He is due a break because he has done a lot of work. So, he will have an easy week and we will let him get on top of his body.”

Johnny Pownall and Willie Tonga are again missing but Greg Worthington, who hasn’t featured since the 32-all draw at Bradford, is due back.

Despite Leigh’s fine form Jukes has urged his team to improve its discipline even though he exonerated yellow card recipients, Gareth Hock and Jamie Acton, at Dewsbury.

“We have got to have better discipline rather than keep talking about it,” he said. “Soft penalties are killing us and not enabling us to build any pressure.

“It is something we have spoken about for a few weeks now. We don’t need to give anyone an excuse. Rather than being a millimetre in front I’d rather us be half a yard behind.

‘We have just got to be a little more focused because our attitude has been brilliant.”

On the brace of yellow cards Jukes added: “Jamie doesn’t throw one punch. He actually gets three or four thrown at him.

“And Gaz got sin binned and he didn’t actually do anything. I think the referee apologised to him when he came back on the field.”