CHALLENGE Cup favourites Saints take another step on the road that hopefully will lead to Twickenham when they make the long trek to Whitehaven for their fifth round tie on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

But they have to tackle the Cumbrians without the services of Keiron Cunningham and Vila Matautia, who are both recovering from knee surgery, while Paul Sculthorpe is expected to be missing for another six weeks after breaking his jaw against Wigan.

Coach Ian Millward has drafted in cup debutants Wayne McDonald and Mick Higham, but Saints will otherwise near full strength as they tackle a Whitehaven side who have won four of their last five games in the Northern Premier League.

Saints are prepared for a stiff test on a Recreation Gound pitch which is invariably a gluepot, and where the capacity on this occasion has been set at 5,000, as compared to an average home gate of around 600.

Tickets, price £12 and £6, are on sale at Knowsley Road until tonigh (Thursday) while Supporters Club coaches will leave Knowsley Road on Sunday at 11am.

The sixth round draw will be screened on BBC2 on Sunday at 5pm.

For the record, Saints enjoyed home cup wins against the Cumbrians in 1987 (41-12) and 1990 (44-10), and it was a similar success story in 1994 when they won 46-4 in a fifth round clash at Whitehaven. Chris Joynt scored his only hat-trick for Saints, with the other tries being scored by Ian Pickavance, Shane Cooper, Tea Ropati, Tommy Martyn, Alan Hunte and Mike Riley. Paul Loughlin kicked five goals. Team: Hunte; Riley, Veivers, Loughlin, Sullivan; Martyn, Griffiths; Neill, Dwyer, Dannatt, Joynt, Pickavance, Cooper. Substitutes: Ropati, Hodgkinson.

Meanwhile Saints moved quickly to diffuse the Challenge Cup pay wrangle when chief executive Malcolm Kay met Sean Long and captain Chris Joynt. Long explained that his comments had been taken out of context by the media, while Ian Millward said that an enviable team spirit prevailed, as instanced by the enjoyable weekend break in London. Kay and Joynt agreed that pay discussions are ongoing confidential matters and, as such, need no further comment.

Keiron Cunningham was chosen Player of the Year when the Supporters Club held their presentation night at the Nexus club. Sean Long was second and Chris Joynt third. Tim Jonkers was named Young Player of the Year, while Sean Hoppe earned the John Temple Clubman of the Year trophy. Mike Bennett won the Alliance award, while the Academy accolade went to Martin Proudfoot.

The Alliance team entertain Bradford Bulls on Wednesday, February 28, kick-off 7.30pm. Saints are offering a meal and admission for a bargain £10.

Last month's supporter's dinner at Knowsley Road raised more than £2,000 for Saints. Organisers Jimmy O'Sullivan and Joe Spencer wish to thank sponsors and everyone who bought tickets for the enjoyable event.

The Independent Supporters Association hold their annual general meeting at the Unison Club, Bishop Road, St Helens, tonight (Thursday, February 22) starting at 7.30pm. New members are welcome. Details from Linda Edwards on 617 246.