07 September 2023 , 17:41
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Leigh's comeback man Frankie Halton is ready to make up for lost time - and get his taste of glory at Old Trafford.
The highly-rated Ireland international arrived in a surprise mid-season transfer from Hull KR only to endure rotten luck. He cruelly tore his pectoral just minutes into his debut against Warrington in May. Frustrated Halton spent most of the campaign sitting on the sidelines, missing out on the club’s memorable Challenge Cup final success.
But he finally returned for Adrian Lam's side in last week’s win over Huddersfield and hopes to back-up at champions St Helens on Friday. With just three rounds remaining, fourth-placed surprise package Leigh have set their sights on following up those Wembley heroics by reaching a maiden Grand Final, too.
Halton, 27, admitted: “It’d be nice! We know we can get there. But Lammy said this week it’s just a game at a time and that’s how we’re looking at it. For me, it’s just great to be back playing. It’s massive being out there with the boys again. Coming to a new club, it wasn’t an ideal start getting injured but it’s time to get back on the pitch now and get my minutes in.”
Halton missed facing former club KR at Wembley having also been forced to sit out Featherstone’s 1895 Cup final win there two years ago due to Covid. He conceded: “It was pretty tough but I got injured before Leigh got to Wembley so I'd sort of made my peace with that and went into full supporter mode.
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"It was a great weekend and great to be a part of it all. But we’re looking forward to Saints now. We’re confident against anyone. They’ll be firing after we beat them in the Cup semi. It should be tasty. But I’m pretty confident we can get it done.”
Frankie Halton (centre) is ready to make up for lost time (Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)Halton was a big hit in his first year in Super League with KR last term after stepping up from the Championship. He earned rave reviews - and a new long-term deal - for his explosive performances before also starring for Ireland at the World Cup.
But the arrival of Wakefield second-row James Batchelor limited him to just six games this time around under new boss Willie Peters and he requested an early release from his contract with chances limited. That, of course, was swiftly followed by the injury but Halton maintained: “I’ve no regrets. I made a lot of good memories at Hull KR and had a great time in that first year.
"I didn’t get as many minutes this time around a and I felt like I needed to be playing. I’m a Leigh lad so it’s great being back here. I wanted to be a part of the team and to get playing again. The injury was just bad timing. A lot of people could have rested up and written the year off but I made it pretty clear to the medical team I wanted to get back."