Leigh Leopards forward Aaron Pene could be on his way out of Leigh Sports Village in the coming weeks, with boss Adrian Lam issuing an update on his short-term future.
Pene struggled with injury at the beginning of the season, ruling him out for the opening few weeks, however since returning to full fitness he still hasn’t been able to make the squad on a consistent basis.
Making just two appearances this season, in rounds six and seven, Pene has found game time hard to come by, which is particulalry telling given Leigh’s injury situation and their lack of available bodies over the past few weeks.
The former Melbourne Storm prop has again been left out of this week’s 21-man squad, as the club prepare to take on Huddersfield Giants at home.
Commenting on the overseas prop, Lam revealed to the press today [Wednesday] the latest on Pene, and what his next steps could be.
He said: “Aaron’s part of our plans and our squad.
“He’s fit at the moment but not been able to get into that 17 or 19 or 21 but we’ve had conversations over what he needs to do within this group.
“We need big front rowers and he’s the perfect body for that so he needs to find some confidence and some form and if that all works out for us, on loan somewhere or whatever that is in the near future so be it and [he can] work his way back into that 17.
Adrian Lam eyes loan move for second Leigh Leopards player
Another player in Lam’s side that could be on the move this season is AJ Towse.
The former York man has had to bide his time through a number of injuries and selections, but when called upon has always been a reliable body out on the flanks.
Towse made his first Leigh appearance of the season last week against York, his hometown club, and is set to continue in the centres once again with neither Umyla Hanley nor Tesi Niu included in the 21-man squad.
Lam was left impressed with the 22-year-old’s contributions not only against the Knights but since he joined the club ahead of the 2025 season.
The boss said: “He is [too good to play reserve grade] and we’ve had conversations that if he’s not in our 13 and 17 that I would like him to go and play Super League if possible every week because I think he’s at that stage where he needs to get game time and play every week to keep developing his game.
“He’s got a big future here with our club, he’s contracted long term and I think he’s won our last two pre-seasons as the best athlete within the two off-seasons so he’s certainly one of those players that I love having a part of the group.
“He’ll play a part here at some stage but he understands his path at the moment and he’s right on track for that.”
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