The 30-year-old former Great Britain scrum-half is beginning to feel the effects of more than a decade in rugby league, and admits to suffering from blackouts for the last 12 months.

"I took a serious bang to the head when we played Huddersfield two weeks ago trying to put a big hit into Rob Roberts but getting the timing all wrong," Goulding told The Guardian newspaper.

"I was out like a light. You can tell how bad it was - I got knocked out at 3.25pm and woke up at 8.45pm.

"And when I did I was calling the doctor Shaun McRae and telling Keiron Cunningham to keep scooting from dummy-half (a reference to his time at St Helens in 1995-96).

"My own doctor is a bit worried because I've been suffering blackouts quite regularly for the past 12 months. I'm going to get it checked out next week."

But Goulding is adamant that he will not be missing the NFP Grand Final in his home town of Widnes on 12 October.

Defeat would leave his career in the balance as his contract with Leigh is dependent on them reaching the Super League.

Huddersfield go into the match as clear favourites having won 26 matches and drawn one all season, but Goulding is confident of an upset.

"We're rank outsiders," says Goulding. "But that means there's no pressure on us. It's a one-off and anything can happen."