SAINTS welcome back Chris Joynt, Keiron Cunningham and Peter Shiels for Friday's four-pointer battle with play-off rivals Leeds Rhinos at Knowsley Road (8pm.)

The trio come into a side buoyed by last week's 70 point trouncing of Warrington Wolves for what will be a critical game in the sort out at the top end of the table.

Saints defeated Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final at the JJB, but were then torn apart at Headingley six days after Twickenham.

Games between the sides have traditionally been free-flowing affairs, although Leeds have a big physical pack - with Barrie McDermott, Anthony Farrell and Aussie test star Bradley Clyde being held together by inspirational hooker Robbie Mears.

The duel between two of the the finest young loose forwards in the British game - Paul Sculthorpe and Kevin Sinfield - should also prove an intriguing battle for the anticipated big crowd to get their teeth into.

At half-back Leeds have the nippy Karl Pratt - and Iestyn Harris, who, if allowed to run or referee the game, can cause serious damage.

Powerful centres Tonie Carroll and Keith Senior tore Saints to shreds in May, a game Saints coach Ian Millward was quick to write off as insignificant.

"I would not read too much into that game at Headingley. Keep it in perspective - we had just come off winning the treble at Twickenham, which was a momentous occasion. I don't want the players ever to forget Twickenham because it is something we can go back into the well to dip in to get the confidence on how to prepare for big games.

"That Leeds game came up very quick on us - you think you are right, but at the end when you see the scoreline, physically and mentally we weren't. I won't be talking about revenge this week, we will just be talking about what we need to do to win.

"This will be a decisive game in deciding the final grid positions. They are two points behind us, so if we win, it gives us a four point buffer. They play Bradford the following week, so the shape of the competition could change over the next fortnight."

Skipper Joynt returns after being rested for the Warrington game.

"Chris has had a lot of rugby this year, starting with the World Cup and although he had a slight problem at Hull, he could have played if we had pushed him. But we don't want to do that, we want to make sure he is right for the rest of the season," said the Saints coach.

Cunningham returns after a leg strain, dislodging the impressive Mick Higham from the hooking role. Some Saints supporters have suggested a place could be found for Higham at scrum half, which Millward said he had not yet been tempted to try.

"That does not mean it won't happen - it might happen this week. But we have to make sure when we switch players they can do that adequately and train for that during the week," said Millward.

The Saints boss was full of praise for Tommy Martyn, who has been gingerly taking his first steps since a hernia operation and still understandably appears ring rusty.

"Tommy has been brave and has put his hand up, but he has probably come back a week or two early, but he understands the circumstances we are under - we don't have any back-up backs at present.

"He looks a little bit out of whack with his match practice, his timing and his execution but you will find in the next couple of weeks, that will come back into play," said Millward. Keep going, John IAN Millward has answered supporters' criticism over his refusal to call up goal-kicking Alliance scrum half John Braddish.

"Supporters are entitled to their opinion, but in last week's Alliance match at Warrington John missed all four shots at goal. The difference between Super League and Alliance is also quite large. John is a very promising player - if he keeps his head down he will make it in time," Millward said.