Saints are likely to be without Carlos Spencer (hand), David Quinlan (hamstring), Rhodri Davies (groin) and Steve Thompson (muscle bruising) for this fixture, despite the entire squad being given the first three days of this week off to rest and recuperate.

The squad will definitely be without Seamus Mallon, who will have an operation on Thursday to repair an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. His rehabilitation could take up to a year.

Meanwhile, long-term injured players prop Simon Emms (bicep) and centre Neil Starling (knee) continue to recover well, with Emms poised to start full training at the start of 2006 and Starling now running again with the view to returning to fitness in February.

Saints will announce their team, as far as is possible, on Friday.