Centurion ace is on his way

Jan 17 2008 by Ian Cheveau, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

LEIGH Centurions have paved the way for the Vikings to sign centre Danny Speakman.

Paul Rowley, Centurions’ first team coach and long-standing friend of Speakman, says Widnes boss Steve McCormack is in line to snap him up.

The Vikings are desperately short on the flanks after losing Mick Nanyn and Toa Kohe-Love and the addition of Speakman would bolster firepower out wide.

Rowley said: “I know Widnes are sniffing round Danny and he is in talks with them.

“He is a fantastic lad to have around the club and will be a great addition to any team in this division.

“We would have loved to keep him but we have had a big overhaul at Leigh and we have totally changed the team and we couldn’t keep him within our budget as we have signed Toa Kohe-Love and Dennis Moran and have done a total restructure.”

Speakman, 22, represented England Schools in 2001 alongside the likes of James Graham, Simon Grix, Harrison Hansen and Karl Pryce and began his club career at Wigan Warriors – playing for their Senior Academy team.

He has been plagued with injuries for the past two seasons, including a persistent sternum problem which kept him out of the later stages of 2006 and most of 2007.

But Rowley reckons the player’s injury jinx is now behind him.

He added: “Danny will do a great job for Widnes if he signs. He had a long spell out with injury and we sent him out to Batley to get some fitness and some match practice and he came back in good shape.

“We just couldn’t give him what he wanted.

“He can play equally well at centre or in the back row but it’s more likely Steve will use him in the centre as Widnes have lost Toa and Mick Nanyn last year.”

It’s believed Speakman will sign a deal with the Vikings which could contain an option for a Super League contract at the club if he proves himself in the Co-operative National League.

The Vikings are also monitoring the situation of a half-back and a centre.

The club is keeping tight lipped about the identities of the players but if talks are positive then Widnes could be in a position to make an announcement soon.