ST HELENS insist Leon Pryce remains central to their plans for tomorrow’s match against his old club Bradford as he awaits sentencing for assault.

Pryce, 27, along with former Bulls team-mate Stuart Reardon, will return to Bradford’s domestic violence court today to be told their punishment after admitting their offence last month.

Both players were told to expect jail sentences when they last appeared in court on March 26 but Pryce was yesterday included in Saints coach Mick Potter’s 19-man squad for the game Bulls game.

“I’ll just get a phone call to say what the outcome is and make an assessment then,” said Potter.

“He’s in the squad. I’m not pre-empting anything. We’ll plan for that if it’s the worst-case scenario.”

Pryce has been in impressive form since his last appearance in court, with four tries in his last three Super League appearances, and Saints’ only defeat this season came at the hands of Hull KR in February when the England stand-off was missing through injury.

“He’s been fantastic for us,” added Potter. “He’s still enjoying his footie and he’s been running the ball and defensively he’s been very, very good. I can’t ask any more of him.

“I think the team is very happy with the way he’s playing and I’m very happy with the way he’s playing.”

St Helens are still without prop Jason Cayless, who is facing a 10-week lay-off after undergoing shoulder surgery, but back-rower Chris Flannery returns from a three-match absence due to a foot injury and compassionate leave.

Bradford have included new signing Julien Rinaldi, the former Harlequins hooker or half-back, in their squad just 48 hours after arriving from Australia.

The 30-year-old Frenchman, who gets his chance in the continued absence of both scrum-half Paul Deacon and hooker Wayne Godwin, played for Catalans Dragons in 2006 under Potter.

WIGAN scrum-half Thomas Leuluai has signed a new three-year contract that will keep him at the JJB Stadium until the end of the 2012 season.

The 23-year-old New Zealander, who was a member of the Kiwis’ World Cup-winning team in November, said: “I am pleased that the deal has been sorted.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far with Wigan and was always looking to stay. I hope I can play my part in bringing some success to the Warriors both this season and in the next few years to come.”