ST HELENS are set to welcome back New Zealand prop Jason Cayless but Leeds have a disciplinary worry hanging over them ahead of Saturday’s engage Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Rhinos winger Lee Smith, who was placed on report for allegedly kicking Wigan second rower Phil Bailey in the face during last Friday’s 18-14 play-off victory over the Warriors, was yesterday charged with a grade C offence.
The 22-year-old Smith, who scored two tries in the final eliminator and one in last year’s 33-6 Grand Final win over Saints, will face a suspension of up to four matches if he is found guilty at today’s disciplinary hearing.
Ryan Hall would be a straight replacement if he is ruled out but Leeds coach Brian McClennan is confident he will not have to change a winning team.
"We’ve got faith in the judiciary system," McClennan told a press conference at Old Trafford.
"We’ll see how it goes but I’m fairly confident we’ll be okay. You’ve always got contingency plans but we’re not going to go too far down that road. We’ve a few bumps and bruises but on the whole we’re okay and I’m pretty confident we’ll name the same 19 as last week."
Hooker Matt Diskin, who was placed on report for an alleged high tackle, was cleared yesterday when he was told he will not face any disciplinary action.
Saints coach Daniel Anderson will select from a full-strength squad, with Cayless now recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss the last three matches, including the Challenge Cup final.
"He trained today and will be in contention," said Anderson. "Everybody else is fit to go."
If Cayless is restored to Saints’ pack, it will most likely mean more disappointment for outgoing prop Nick Fozzard, who was dropped for the Cup final last month.
"It will be a big decision but it’s better to have those decisions rather than having to find players. I will be confident in doing it."
The match will provide a fitting farewell to Anderson, who is taking his family back to Australia after three and a half years in St Helens, but he played down talk of an emotional farewell.
"There are a number of players and staff leaving who have been here longer than I have," he said. "It’s the last match for all of us this year." Meanwhile, Saints captain Keiron Cunningham is set to provide his side with a Grand Final boost by signing a new 12-month contract.
The evergreen hooker, Saints’ longest-serving player, is out of contract at the end of the season but is close to agreement on a new deal.
"We’re still going through the finer details," he said. "It’s quite close to being sorted out. I think there will be an announcement either later this week or next week."
* WIDNES have signed St Helens prop forward Sam Thompson on a two-year contract. The 21-year-old has made six substitute appearances for Saints this year but is not in the squad for Saturday’s Grand Final.
"I’m very pleased to be signing for Widnes," he said. "It’s a great club that’s going places. It’s a really big challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started."
Thompson is the fifth player to confirm his end-of-season exit, following the retirement of Paul Sculthorpe and Mike Bennett and departure of Nick Fozzard and Willie Talau.
