AFTER back-to-back home wins Saints will be aiming to get on a roll when they travel to Halifax on Sunday (6pm) - the first of a trio of consecutive away games. The New Shay is not the easiest place to play and coach Ian Millward is anticipating the usual tough encounter against the solid Blue Sox pack.

Saints welcome back Aussie second row Peter Shiels, who has missed the last three games through a combination of family bereavement and picking up a bug.

After starting last Saturday's game on the bench, skipper Chris Joynt will lead out the side at the New Shay.

Utility back Tony Stewart is rated only as 50/50 after picking up a knock against Leeds. Apart from that the squad remains the same, with Mick Higham no doubt anticipating a hot welcome when he enters the fray against the club he rejected for Saints.

The corresponding fixture last season went down to the wire with Paul Wellens pulling out a last gasp try to clinch it 28-24 for Saints.

And in May Saints left it until the dying seconds to snatch victory in a bruising game at Knowsley Road.

Saints coach Ian Millward said: "We dread going there because we know it is going to be tough. Their forwards take a lot of controlling - that is where Halifax's strength is.

"They also have two very scheming half backs in Andrew Dunemann and Gavin Clinch and they give Halifax so much in attack. It promises to be a real scheme-a-thon between them and Tommy Martyn."

Former Saints forward Paul Davidson started the first game of a three match suspension last week so will be missing.

Another ex-Knowsley Roader Brett Goldspink will probably skipper the Blue Sox and he will be joined in the front row by the industrious Jim Gannon.

One player who Millward knows plenty about is former Leigh protege Stuart Donlan, showing good form in the centre.

"I am very impressed by the way Stuart has come on and I look forward to catching up with him after the game," Millward said.

"These three consecutive away games are going to be tough - they are perceived to be games we should win, but they are the hardest because the other teams want to raise the bar against us. Having those three trophies makes us a very big scalp to tuck into the belt so the opposing crowd and players get very pumped up. We are going to have to play very well to win," said the Saints boss.

RADIO Merseyside's Allan Rooney and Ray French will be providing full commentary from the New Shay on Sunday evening. Tune in on 1485 medium wave.

FREE coaches are being laid on for supporters buying £10 tickets for the Wales v England international at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on Tuesday, July 31.

Coaches depart Knowsley Road at 5.30pm. Contact the Rugby League hot-line on 0113 232 9444 or Saints Supporters Club for tickets.

ATTENDANCES at Saints are up on the equivalent games last season. Simon Dawson, Saints marketing executive, said: "Although there is still much work to be done to attract the crowds that Saints deserve, we are encouraged with the attendance increase given the rise in prices and it is a credit to the hard work of several individuals at the Saints."

Sonny Nickle made his 200th appearance for Saints in Friday's match v Leeds. (180+20)