Saints put their title on the line

Injuries have cast a long shadow over Saints' preparations for the 'business end' of the season and the reigning champions have taken only three points from the last five games of the regular season.

If that was bad enough Saints came out of Friday night's derby defeat with further injuries - Chris Joynt and Peter Shiels - adding to the doubts over Keiron Cunningham, David Fairleigh, Tony Stewart and the long term casualties.

After the Wigan defeat coach Ian Millward was playing his cards pretty close to his chest, but said: "We had eight players out for Wigan, they were all injured - I was not resting any players. Six of those will not play next week against Leeds."

He said the inspirational hard yard maker Fairleigh was unlikely to play, and out of Friday's absentees only John Stankevitch was certain to line up.

Leeds scored a big psychological victory a fortnight ago with a win at Knowsley Road in a game that would have been instantly forgettable had it not been for Sonny Nickle's late tackle on the Rhinos' Aussie hooker Robbie Mears, which left the latter with a broken jaw and saw the former earn a six month ban.

At the time of going to press Saints were appealing against the ban. Having lost several players through late or high tackles this season - Peter Shiels (broken cheekbone v. Leeds), Mick Higham (broken cheekbone v. Salford) and Sean Long (late tackle v. Huddersfield) you would expect Saints to be at the forefront of moves to punish foul play. As bad as Nickle's challenge was, you can understand the frustration when the clampdown seemingly only kicks in when a Saints player comes up before the disciplinary panel.

David Fairleigh and Sean Long will be the special guests of the Independent Saints Supporters' Association meeting on Monday, September 24 at the Police Club in Bishop Road. The evening starts at 7.30. Contact Linda Edwards on 07754 868 533 for details.

St Helens directors boycotted the Wigan - Saints game at the JJB Stadium last Friday after conditions were placed on their attendance by Wigan owner Dave Whelan.

Whelan rang the club on Friday and informed a senior member of staff that two directors Jim Hartley and Arthur Thomas, would not be welcome due to their former links with Wigan and JJB Stadium personnel had been ordered to block their entry. As a result the Saints board made a decision to boycott the game. In addition they felt that on the National Day of Mourning for the disaster victims in the USA, it was very petty for personal differences to be displayed in this manner.

Saints board made it clear that all Wigan directors will continue to welcome at St Helens.

Eric Hughes is leaving St Helens at the end of the season after three-and-a-half years as football operations manager. Hughes said: "I informed the St Helens board six months ago I would be leaving to pursue other business interests outside the game." Hughes, the ex-Widnes and Great Britain star, has also coached Widnes, Rochdale, St Helens, Leigh and Wigan. Hughes is the current coach at Liverpool-St Helens RU and added: "I will continue in that job certainly in the short-term."

A BOOK in aid of former Saints winger Anthony Sullivan's testimonial is on sale at the club shop. The Flying Sullivans is split between a section on Anthony and one on his late, great father Clive. The price is £7.99. HSaints fan Andrew Quirke's book on Knowsley Road, which features interviews with the likes of Alex Murphy, Tom van Vollenhoven, John Mantle and Keiron Cunningham, is selling like hot-cakes across the town. Memories of St Helens RLFC costs £9.95 and is on sale at Wardleworths and at Saints club shop.

SAINTS new signing for next season, prop Darren Britt, is a surprise addition to the train-on Kangaroo squad for the Ashes series. Players who sign for Super League clubs are traditionally overlooked for test honours. The Green and Gold squad will be finalised on October 1, after the NRL Grand Final