Wigan v St Helens: Teams
Brian Noble has included new signing Martin Gleeson in Wigan's 19-man squad for the engage Super League clash with St Helens
Last Updated: 08/04/09 5:12pm
Brian Noble has included new signing Martin Gleeson in Wigan's 19-man squad for the engage Super League clash with St Helens on Thursday.
The Great Britain centre completed his move from Warrington earlier in the week and could go straight into the starting line-up at the JJB.
Warriors also welcome back Pat Richards, Stuart Fielden and Gareth Hock, who all sat out Sunday's Challenge Cup tie against Barrow.
However, Karl Pryce will have to wait until another day before he can take on brother Leon after being omitted from the squad.
Noble's men conceded 149 points in three heavy defeats at the hands of their arch rivals last year before halting the run with a 16-16 draw in the last match of the regular season and the coach is optimistic.
"I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "Mick Potter is a personal friend of mine. They had terrific win at Leeds on Sunday and their form is pretty good at the moment.
"We were a bit scratchy up in Barrow but we've got a new signing and a few players coming back into the team so we're excited about that.
"I'm still under no apprehensions that it will be a tough game."
St Helens will be without injured trio Sean Long, Jason Cayless and Chris Flanner for the local derby.
However, promising youngster Kyle Eastmond is poised to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury, and there is also a possible return for Chris Dean.
Saints coach Potter will also get his first taste of one of rugby league's traditional fixtures and he has been left in no doubt about the significance of the match.
"I know how important our games against Wigan are," he said. "The fans tell me how important the games are and that we must win and that is what we will be going out to do.
"Easter is hectic and we want every win we can get. If you notch up a couple of wins it can really kick-start the season for you."
Wigan squad: Roberts, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Hock, Bailey, O'Loughlin, J.Tomkins, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, Prescott, Gleeson, S.Tomkins, Ainscough.
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Meli, Pryce, Cunningham, Graham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Roby, Hargreaves, Puletua, Clough, Eastmond, Dean, Frodsham, Fa'asavalu, Ashurst, Lomax.