SIXTH-PLACED Saints will be bidding to leap into Premiership top-five contention when Hull Sharks come to Knowsley Road on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

With three wins in five games they are just two points adrift of Halifax, and Saints will also be anxious to improve on a points differential of minus six, having scored 102 and conceded 108.

And they can expect no quarter from a Sharks' side with similar ambitions, and who are expected to field a trio of former Saints' stars in captain and centre Alan Hunte, full-back Steve Prescott and forward Simon Booth, who has been suffering from a leg injury.

The likely Hull line-up is: Prescott; Seru, Hunte, Hallas, Baildon; Lester, Nolan; Okesene, Stephenson, Ireland, Campbell, Leathem, Hepi. Substitutes Wilson, Smith, Johnson, Booth.

Referee is Karle Kirkpatrick. The Academy curtain-raiser will kick-off at 1pm. The Alliance team defeated Widnes 18-16 at Knowsley Road. Saints' tries were scored by Gareth Price, Chris Newall, Joey Hayes and Paul Mathison, while Brian Capewell landed a conversion. Paul Wellens was named man-of-the-match.

Halifax Blue Sox Alliance team will visit Knowsley Road on Wednesday, May 20, kick-off 7.30pm.

Huddersfield Giants are reported to be interested in Saints' teenage back Anthony Stewart, who is contracted to Saints for another two years.

Saints and Wigan are considering plans to switch their traditional Good Friday fixture until later in the season.

The Academy team lost 46-6 at Bradford on Sunday, with their try being scored by Dale Holdstock and converted by Mark McCully.

Saints are to stage another of their popular Sporting Forum dinner-dates at Knowsley Road on Friday, May 29, at noon. Tickets cost £20 and speakers are Maurice Lindsay and Malcolm Lord.

The club are also presenting a Sporting Soiree at the Haydock Thistle Hotel on Thursday, June 25, from 7.30pm. Speaker is Eric Jones and comedian Mike Farrell. Tickets are £30. 'Win a trip to New York for two' raffle tickets are on sale at the Superstore, price £1. The draw also includes many other prizes and will be held before the Salford game on June 28.

Saints have denied media reports that Malcolm Reilly will be appointed coach when Shaun McRae's contract expires at the end of the season. Said David Howes: "We shall be talking with Shaun about a new deal in mid-July."

Contract discussions are also planned with Karle Hammond, Dean Busby, Ian Pickavance, Vila Matautia and Julian O'Neill.

Bobbie Goulding failed to score for the first time in a Saints' jersey at Bradford on Sunday.

Answer to correspondent Joe Briggs of Pocket Nook: Local lad and Test centre Duggie Greenall captained Saints against Huddersfield at Wembley in 1953. A product of Rivington Road school and the Air Training Corps, Duggie also played for Wigan and Bradford Northern before winding up his career with a coaching spell at Liverpool City.

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