Former Manly winger Scott Donald insists Leeds have finally turned a corner this rugby league season and says Challenge Cup glory is in their sights.

The 30-year-old made his long-awaited return to the Rhinos ranks in the 26-12 victory at Bradford last weekend after 14 weeks on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder.

Donald helped Leeds, who won just three of their first nine matches this season, chalk up their third win on the trot as they saw off Bradford.

That run faces a stern test with the visit of Super League table-toppers Wigan to Headingley this weekend in the quarter finals.

However, Donald insists the Rhinos, who last won the Challenge Cup in 1999, are returning to form at just the right time.

"Ever since we beat Wakefield at Murrayfield during the Magic Weekend, we seem to be playing a lot differently and there is a real confidence around the team," Donald said.

"We've had a couple of tough games recently against Warrington and Bradford and that is what we needed.

"Hopefully we can keep that going now. Things have really turned around over the last couple of weeks and that's good to see.

"Wigan will be a tough game - they are not at the top of Super League on luck. The Challenge Cup is a big competition and it means a lot to the Leeds fans.

"I'm just relieved that I'm playing again now. Sitting on the sidelines was frustrating but I'm feeling no ill-effects and I'm just looking forward to playing a bit more."

Meanwhile, departing Catalans Dragons coach Kevin Walters is keeping his fingers crossed his side don't buckle under the pressure as they take on Championship outfit Batley Bulldogs.

The Dragons, who are cut adrift at the bottom of Super League, announced on Wednesday that the under-fire Walters will leave the club at the end of the season.

But his side must put that to one side now as they bid to overcome minnows Batley at Mount Pleasant after a narrow win over the Crusaders in the fifth round.

Walters said: "This is a good opportunity for us. However, I hope we don't turn our season into just looking at this match because if we do then it could go all horribly wrong.

"I'm leaving but I want to finish off the season with good results in the Challenge Cup and Super League."

Warrington coach Tony Smith insists old friend Steve McNamara can expect no favours when he takes his holders to Bradford.

McNamara has replaced ex-St George stand-off Smith in the England coach's role and is looking to sign off his time as Bradford chief on a high.

But Smith, who guided Warrington to their first Challenge Cup triumph since 1974 last year, says friendship will go out the window on Sunday.

"Winning the cup would be the perfect way for him to go out at Bradford but we're planning on stopping him," Smith said.

"It's going to be a tough game - they've got quality players like Matt Orford and Brett Kearney, but we want to continue defending our title."

Former New Zealand Warriors winger Francis Meli is expected to miss St Helens' match with Barrow with a hamstring injury, while England winger Ade Gardner has been ruled out for four weeks with rib cartilage damage.

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