SAINTS' Alliance side will field seven senior squad members when they travel to the Deepdale stadium of Preston North End to face Lancashire Lynx on Sunday.

And fingers will be crossed for one injury-cursed star in particular.

For stand-off Tommy Martyn will make his first appearance since suffering an horrendous fracture of his right knee when playing for Ireland against France last May - just 10 days after winning the Lance Todd Trophy in Saints' Challenge Cup Final triumph over Bradford Bulls.

A major knee reconstruction and months of rehabilitation and physiotherapy followed for talented Tommy, who was no stranger to all this - having endured the pain and frustration of similar surgery on his left knee 12 months previously!

Regarded as the best stand-off in the English game by Great Britain coach Andy Goodway, Leigh-based Martyn was tipped for a place in last November's Test series against Australia and every Saints' supporter will hope that Tommy's run of bad luck is at an end.

Australian Brett Goldspink will make his debut at Deepdale, while other first-teamers in Bobbie Goulding, Andy Leathem, Paul Anderson, Karle Hammond and Andy Haigh are included in the squad.

The kick-off is 3pm, admission to the Tom Finney stand is £6 and £3, and Saints Travellers Club are organising coaches to the game, with seats costing £4.

Saints' Alliance team will play Widnes at Blackbrook RFC, McDonald Avenue, on Wednesday, January 21, kick-off 7.30pm. Admission is £2, senior citizens £1 and juveniles free.

Saints' Test scrum-half Bobbie Goulding has re-affirmed that he will honour his existing contract at Knowsley Road, which still has two years to run. Bobbie was answering recent claims in a national newspaper that he had been approached by an agent acting for several Rugby Union clubs. Former Saints' half-back Gus O'Donnell successfully underwent the transplant of a kidney donated by his mother, Noreen, in Liverpool Royal Infirmary last week. Wigan-based 27-year-old 'Ducky' is making good progress in hospital and visiting is permitted between 3 and 7.30pm. Mrs. O'Donnell has been allowed home.

Saints were still awaiting a work permit for Australian centre Jamie Ojelnik from the Department of Employment as the Star went to press. The player is ready to jet out from Sydney and a club spokesman said they were confident he would be at Knowsley Road in the near future.

A Rugby League tribunal will decide the fee that Saints' will pay Castleford Tigers for the transfer of winger Chris Smith. Saints' forward Ian Pickavance, who was offered in a possible exchange deal, has failed to agree terms with Castleford.

The Supporter's Club will hold their annual meeting in the Cabaret Room at Knowsley Road on Tuesday, February 10, starting at 8pm. All members are welcome to attend.

Wales and British Lions Rugby Union centre Scott Gibbs, who played for Saints between 1994-96, has been named BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year. Saints' chief executive David Howes will hold a 'meet-the-fans' session at the Town Hall on Monday, January 19, from 8pm.

Australian Nigel Ashley-Jones is likely to succeed Jack Penman as strength and fitness conditioner at Saints, with the appointment being dependent on the obtaining of a work permit. Nigel is 26 and comes from Perth.

Saints' marketing executive Mike Callaghan has left the club following a management restructure.

A lunchtime Sportsman's Forum will be held in the Cabaret Room at Knowsley Road on Friday, January 30, from noon. Speakers will be Saints coach Shaun McRae and broadcaster Malcolm Lord. Compere is Willie Miller of Radio City. Tickets cost £20 and are obtainable from the commercial department. The draw for the fourth round of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup will be made on Monday, February 2.

Saints will hold a mixed dinner at the Haydock Thistle Hotel on Thursday, February 26. Speaker is Doctor Kevin Jones and the comedian is Jimmy Bright. Tickets price £30 are available from the commercial department.

Answer to correspondent Robert Dagnall, of Nutgrove: Saints and Recs jointly supplied seven players for the 1928 tour of Australia. They were Alf Ellaby, Les Fairclough, Alf Frodsham, Ben Halfpenny (Saints); Frank Bowen, Albert Fildes and Oliver Dolan (Recs).

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