SAINTS face an injury crisis ahead of the terrace-packer against Wigan Warriors at Knowsley Road on Good Friday, kick-off 12.35pm.

Western Samoan Vila Matautia is ruled out after breaking his right arm against Halifax, and Paul Sculthorpe is doubtful after suffering an hip injury in the same game

Blue Sox prop Jim Gannon, who was sin-binned and placed on report after the incident involving Sculthorpe, was cleared by the disciplinary board on Tuesday.

Paul Newlove is also likely to be absent against Wigan, because he is still troubled by a calf problem, while Paul Atcheson could be missing for another fortnight as his shoulder injury proves slow to heal.

On a happier note Tommy Martyn has recovered from a sore knee sustained against Halifax, and the return after suspension of Sonny Nickle is another boost to a club which is really buzzing these days

The Wigan line-up is: Radlinski; Dallas, Johnson, Renouf, Robinson; Smith, Peters; Cowie, Newton, O'Connor, Betts, Cassidy, Farrell. Substitutes Mestrov, Haughton, Connolly, Gilmour.

The match will be televised on Sky, and Radio Merseyside's Ray French and Alan Rooney will be joined by summariser Clive Griffiths on the1485 waveband. Stuart Cummings is referee.

Pop fun-band Christal, Cyber Babes, 'who wants to play a questionnaire,?' 'don't forget your boots,' and Pilks v Haydock u/9 mini-rugby are included in match entertainment. The Alliance match at Halifax was postponed due to a water-logged pitch. Saints travel to Dewsbury tonight (Thursday). Next home match is against Castleford on Wednesday, May 3, kick-off 7.30pm

The Academy team lost 22-18 to Halifax on Sunday. They entertain Wigan tomorrow, kick-off 10.30am.

Saints' travel to Warrington on Monday, kick-off 6pm. The game will be televised on Sky and coaches leave Knowsley Road at 4.15pm, price £4.50 and £6.50.

Local lad Carl Atherton has been appointed co-ordinator of Huddersfield Giants newly-launched sponsorship scheme. He was formerly head of sport at Greenhead College.

St. Helens-born 'whistler' Steve Ganson is reserve referee for the Challenge Cup Final clash between Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos at Murrayfield on April 29.

Darrall Trindall has engaged Richard Cramer, of McCormick's solicitors, Leeds, to represent him in his action against Saints for rescinding his contract. Club solicitor Gary Jackson said: "Saints have taken the decision that Darrall is not fit enough to fulfill the terms of his contract. Accordingly they have exercised their right to declare it null and void." Saints' gate of 8,571 versus Halifax was the biggest of the weekend in Super League.

Halton Hornets and North West Counties star Stephen Rowlands, a 16-year-old centre, has been snapped up by Saints.

Fixture cards are now available at Knowsley Road and the Star reception office.

The next 'First Friday' dinner will be held at the St, Helens Hilton on May 5. Ian Millward is speaker and Mickey Gunn comedian. Further details from Helen Lawrenson on 23697.

Did Cowley school play Parr Central in the early 1950s at Rugby League? That's the intriguing question posed by one-time St. Helens RUFC and Warrington scrum-half Alf Arnold. Details to yours truly at the Star.

Answer to correspondent Fred Jones, of Billinge: Bill Francis joined Saints from Wigan in 1977. Playing at stand-off, he scored a try when Saints were defeated 14-12 by Leeds in the Challenge Cup Final of 1978. Team: Pimblett; Jones, Glynn, Noonan, Mathias; Francis, K. Gwilliam; D. Chisnall, Liptrot, James, Cunningham, Nicholls. Pinner. Substitutes Ashton, Karalius.

Arthur Lowe, of Moss Bank: Ex-West Park pupil and utility player Frank Balmer joined Saints in 1938 for a £30 fee. He turned out regularly while on leave from the RAF, and made 65 appearances, the last at Workington in 1946, when Saints' team was: Pimblett; Greenall, Balmer, Stott, Doyle; Tracey, G. Jones; Pilkington, Fishwick, Thompson, J. Jones, Leyland, Tucker. Balmer scored 12 tries before retiring and died in1984, aged 64.