TEST centre Paul Newlove is set to return to Saints' team facing Salford Reds at Knowsley Road on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

Newlove has been sidelined with an hamstring problem sustained at Wakefield on June 11, and his reappearance would be a huge boost as second-placed Saints bid to maintain their leadership challenge.

Otherwise the squad is expected to be the same as that which overwhelmed Warrington, while struggling Salford will field: Broadbent; Pinkney, Webber, Tassell, Offiah; Blakeley, Holroyd; Baynes, Alker, Southern, Nicol, Brown, Wainwright. Substitutes Smith, Highton, Roper, Hepi.

Referee is Karle Kirkpatrick.

Bouncing back after an 18-8 defeat at Bradford in midweek when Tim Jonkers scored two tries, Saints' second-placed Alliance side won 40-34 against London Broncos at Gillingham on Sunday. Scott Barrow and John Hamilton were outstanding as Mark Edmondson (2), Martin Proudfoot, Mark McCully, Brian Henare, John Braddish, Mike Bennett and last-minute hero Dave McConnell scored Saints' tries. Mike Loughlin (3) and Braddish kicked goals. Saints team was: McCully; Camman, Giles, Cunliffe, Birkett; Barrow, Braddish; Loughlin, Hamilton, Henare, Edmondson, Proudfoot, Bennett. Substitutes Bithell, McConnell, Holdstock, Howell. Saints travel to Huddersfield tonight (Thursday) kick-off 7.30pm, when Gareth Price is expected to return after injury. Warrington come to Knowsley Road next Wednesday, August 30, kick-off 7.30pm.

The Supporters Club will present the 'Eddie and Stevo Roadshow' in the cabaret room on Monday, October 9, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 and will be available in the Supporters shop on Sunday.

Neil Holding will be guest speaker at the First Friday club lunch at Knowsley Road on September1. Details from Helen Lawrenson on 23697.

Sean Long (21) and Kevin Iro and Tommy Martyn (20 each) are Super League's leading try-scorers. Martyn was Saints' player of the month for July, Mark McCully took the Alliance side accolade, and John Simms was the Academy choice.

The Academy side lost 20-24 at Hull on Sunday. They visit Halifax tomorrow (Friday) kick-off 5.30pm.

Former Saints and Great Britain centre star John Walsh, who is now an insurance actuary in Toronto, was back in town last week to visit his mother who lives in Parr. He also renewed acquaintances with several ex-team-mates, including Frankie Barrow and Alan Bishop. John (54) made 185 appearances in which he scored 48 tries and 156 goals for Saints between 1968 and 1975. Walsh was in Saints' team that defeated Leeds at Wembley in 1972, and he also won five Test caps. Diary dates for the Independent Supporters Association include: tonight, Thursday, meeting at Unison club; Sunday, September 17. Sponsored walk around Snowdon; Friday, December 22. Christmas party, Unison club, £3; February (date to be fixed). Special presentation night at Hilton Hotel. Speaker 'Stevo.' Four course meal. Tickets £25. Details Linda Edwards 617246 after 5pm.

Saints are to run a player-of-the-year competition in conjunction with optical company Vision Express. To enter visit Saints' website on www.saints.uk.com

Assistant coach and fitness conditioner Nigel Ashley-Jones has declined a new contract at Knowsley Road and will join Wigan at the end of the season. Kevin Iro has agreed a one-season deal and Tony Stewart signed a two-year contract. Saints deny interest in Darren Rogers of Castleford and Paul Sampson of Wakefield, while Mick Higham of Leigh will not be coming to Knowsley Road.

Saints' game against London Broncos at Charlton will now be played on Saturday, September 9, kick-off 6.05pm, and will be televised. It was originally arranged for the following day, and the switch has been made because of re-scheduling of television programmes. Wayne McDonald has signed a two-year deal with Saints. Formerly with Wakefield Wildcats and Hull, Wayne is 24 and stands 6ft 7in. Said Ian Millward: 'McDonald can play front or second row, and with Australians Peter Sheils and David Fairleigh also coming to Knowsley Road Saints will have a massive pack. However we are set to lose Apollo Perelini, Freddie Tuilagi and Julian O'Neill, while other packmen Phil Adamson, Andy Leathem and Paul Davidson have left the club.'

Saints development officer Mike Rush is to organise a junior version of the 'World Cup, which will targeted at schools. The final will be played before the England versus Russia clash at Knowsley Road on Wednesday, November 1. Details from Mike on 23697.

Merseyside Health Action Zone Partnership have teamed up with Saints in devising a 'Fit for Life' programme. It will involve local secondary school students by encouraging them to recognise the valeu of sports and recreation in improving personal well-being. It follows in the wake of the joint HAZ-Saints initiatives with the 'Calm' project and Age Concern. Details from Saints' education officer Gordon Pennington.

Saints' threequarter of the early post-war seasons Mick Lawrence contacted me from Thailand, where he still works as a mining engineer despite being in his 70s. Clock Face-born Mick enclosed a memory-jerking photograph taken when a testimonial night for Jim Stott was held at Lowe House club in 1950. Steve Llewellyn, Don Gullick, Reg Blakemore, Duggie Greenall and the late Stan McCormick are in the group. Ex-West Park pupil Lawrence can be e-mailed on jaklapmc@encoms.com. Telephone 044-859301. Fax 044-859299

Answer to correspondent Joe Riley, of Rainhill. Saints' players in the Welsh World Cup squad in Australia in 1975 were Kel Coslett, Eddie Cunningham, John Mantle, Roy Mathias and Frank Wilson.