SAINTS forward Sonny Nickle has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a RL Disciplinary Committee banned him for six months.

The 32-year-old forward was also fined £500 for the reckless high tackle which broke the jaw of Leeds hooker Robbie Mears.

Nickle is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to sign the new deal offered to him. And it is now a possibility that he has played his last game for Saints.

Coach Ian Millward said: "It was a high tackle - he got it wrong, but I don't think there was any malice or intent there. His timing and execution were wrong.

"It's a huge loss. Sonny has been exceptional this year. Along with David Fairleigh he has been outstanding."

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SAINTS are likely to have up to eight first team players missing when they travel to the JJB stadium on Friday to face arch-rivals Wigan.

David Fairleigh is absent with the shoulder injury he suffered against Leeds while Keiron Cunningham, John Stankevitch, and Tony Stewart are all doubtful.

On Tuesday Ian Millward's thoughts were again drawn to the injury crisis that has dogged this campaign and he insisted he did not have the luxury of resting players ahead of the play offs.

"It's not a matter of resting players - we have a lot of injuries. We will probably have eight players out and I think fans need to know that we are not resting players. The team I have out there will be the best one I can field," he said.

Prop Fairleigh, who damaged a shoulder after only 25 seconds of last week's clash against Leeds, is having "ongoing treatment on the injury" and is responding well.

Millward added that he was unsure how long the influential forward would be absent. Cunningham has a hamstring problem similar to the one that troubled him in last season's play offs and is unlikely to be risked.

Hooker Mick Higham should return, trialist Leon Felton could also figure and several youngsters from the Alliance team are vying for selection.

Despite the fitness concerns Millward says he is "laid back" ahead of Friday's clash.

"Since I've been at the club it is probably the least important meeting against Wigan. Actually, you wouldn't have thought it was a Wigan game - it has been very relaxed. With the amount of injuries we've had it's just been a matter of getting things right in that area.

"I'll be honest, my focus is a little bit towards the Leeds game."

Wigan, meanwhile, are still hunting for top spot and will be brimming with confidence having won 13 out of their last 14 games.

However, they will be without top try scorer Kris Radlinski (rib injury) and Brett Dallas (hamstring). Ex-Saint Gary Connolly is likely to be switched to full back.

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New recruits for next season, Darren Albert and Darren Britt, both suffered injuries playing in the Aussie play offs at the weekend. Reports from Australia suggest Albert has been ruled out for the rest of Newcastle's season after he broke his ankle. He will see a specialist within the next fortnight to have the damage assessed. It was feared that Britt had broken an arm, however, x-rays this week revealed only deep bruising.

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Saints have issued ticket information ahead of the elimination play off against Leeds Rhinos, which takes place at Knowsley on Saturday September 22, kick off 6.05pm. Ticket prices: Adult Main Stand £15, Child Main Stand £10.

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A new Saints book - Knowsley Road - Memories of St Helens Rugby League Club, penned by Andrew Quirke, is on sale at Wardleworths and at the club superstore priced £9.95