MYSTERY surrounds the future of former NRL star Joe Williams at Group Nine club Lavington.In a sensational development only days before he is set to play his first game for the Panthers on Sunday, the 25-year-old Wagga rugby league prodigy has been strongly linked with English club Leigh Centurions.The Lancashire-based club yesterday was trumpeting on its official website that it had “signed” Williams and he would join the club in May.Williams, however, last night denied he had struck a deal with Leigh, which is one of the oldest clubs in England.“This is actually the first I’ve heard of it,” Williams said last night. “Apparently there is significant interest (from Leigh) but I definitely haven’t signed anything.”Williams is adamant a “third party” has negotiated with Leigh on his behalf, but without his knowledge.“I know nothing about it,” he said.“All I know is that I’ll be playing for Lavington this week.”Despite his surprise at the news from England, Williams indicated he may be tempted by the challenge of playing for Leigh in the Northern Rail Cup and Co-operative Championship competitions. “It would be exciting to get a chance to play again at a top level,” he said.Leigh has lost three of its last four games by wide margins and is due to play Featherstone Rovers at Leigh Sports Village Stadium on Thursday. Williams was unable to play when Lavington was thrashed 48-12 by Brothers in the first round at Equex Centre on Saturday, but is set to debut for the Panthers against Temora at Greenfield Park on Sunday.Lavington captain-coach Josh Cale was shocked yesterday when The Daily Advertiser told him another club was claiming it had signed Williams.Cale is a close friend of the ex-South Sydney, Penrith and Canterbury playmaker and knew nothing of any possible plan to leave Australia.“I actually spoke to Joe last night (Monday) and he didn’t say anything to me,” Cale said yesterday.“We just mainly talked about Sunday’s game.”The prospect of losing Williams before he has made his mark in Group Nine would be a crushing blow to the Panthers.The border club is relying on the classy halfback to help lead the team to the Group Nine finals this year.Putting aside the Williams mystery, Cale said it is imperative the Panthers showed marked improvement on Sunday.“It’ll be a long year if we don’t,” he said.Cale is adamant Lavington can regroup for the duel with Temora.“We were all over the shop (against Brothers),” he said.“I learned things on Sunday and we’ve addressed a few things.”
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