INJURY-RAVAGED Saints' were dealt another hammer blow on Tuesday when stand-off Tommy Martyn was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing exploratory knee surgery.

Martyn suffered cruciate and cartilage ligament damage to his right knee while playing for Ireland in Paris last week, and again faces a major reconstruction following a similar operation on his other knee 12 months ago.

Winner of the Lance Todd Trophy in the Wembley victory just three weeks ago, Tommy is presently having contract talks with the club, and Saints will apply for compensation from the Rugby League for the loss of his services.

Champions Saints' fading Super League title hopes face searching examination in televised clashes at Salford tonight, Thursday, and against Wigan at Knowsley Road on Monday, with both games kicking off at 7.30pm.

Referee at the Willows is Russell Smith, while Steve Presley will take charge versus Wigan, and Academy curtain-raisers before each game will start at 5.30pm.

Saints' Alliance team play Halifax at Knowsley Road on Wednesday, kick-off 7.30pm.

Forthcoming events in the Luke Bryan Appeal Fund include: Charity night at Saints, Wednesday, May 28, 7.30pm. Disco, raffle, auction. Tickets £2.50 from Saints club or committee members. Fun-run at Sankey Valley, Sunday, June 15. Sponsorship forms from Paul Savage St. Helens 752212; Tony Haughey 608932. or Village News, Church Road, Haydock.

Saints' coach Shaun McRae has been chosen as runner-up in the 1997 Radio Merseyside Sports Personality of the Year ratings.

Full-back Steve Prescott was a popular choice as Player of the Year at a recent meeting of the Junior Saints' Club. The next meeting will be held at the Hollywood Bowl on Monday, June 2, at 5pm.

The Wembley souvenir video, which is entitled 'Bullfighting,' is now on sale at the Superstore price £13.99.

Ex-Saints and Great Britain Test prop and captain Alan Prescott, age 70, is a patient in Leigh Trust Hospital after being taken ill at his Wigan home.

Prescott's former team-mate Stan McCormick, 74, is detained in Kurtz ward of St. Helens Hospital after collapsing in the town centre last month.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.