MORGAN Knowles is ready to shake off his frustration against Wigan in Friday night’s fourth derby of the year.

The Saints loose-forward was sidelined by a one-match suspension when Hull KR visited last week.

Although his body may have benefitted from an enforced week off in this rigorous sport, in which he plays a full-on role, his absence did not sit comfortably with him as Saints end the scheduled Super League rounds with three games in eight days.

“I was quite frustrated at missing out. It’s not just that I want to be out there, but there’s a lot of other lads who could do with a rest and with me being suspended that adds to other players having to step up and asking a bit more from them and having to do bigger minutes,” he said.

“So it was quite frustrating but I’ll just try and come back this week and get myself stuck into these three games in eight days and try to bring loads of energy back to the group.”

Saints would clinch the League Leaders’ Shield with just a point from their remaining scheduled rounds at the DW Stadium on Friday (8pm), at home to Wakefield on Monday (3pm) or against Toulouse at the Totally Wicked Stadium on September 3 (3pm).

Knowles understands many a Saints fan would love to see their heroes seal top spot and the Shield against their fiercest rivals in their own back yard.

“I think if you asked any of the Saints fans they’ll be rubbing their hands together at the possible opportunity of doing that,” he said.

“For us as a group, we’re preparing. We’ve got the first or second spot, we know we’re going into semi-finals rugby, so we’re prepping for that.

“We’ll try and pick up the League Leaders’ Shield along the way and it would be brilliant if we can do it on Friday night.”

A win against Wigan means so much to Saints any time, but tomorrow is set to be extra special with the League Leaders’ Shield on the line.

Knowles said: “It means a lot to the town to beat Wigan and going over there is a tough place to play, but it’s significant especially with the importance that we could seal the League Leaders’ Shield if we can get the win.”

Saints and Wigan have already met three times this season, with Saints winning the league games at home and at Magic Weekend while their nearest and dearest won the Challenge Cup semi-final.

The two teams know each other inside out but Knowles does not believe that makes it any harder or easier to achieve a win.

“I think they’re always hard games," he said.

"I don’t think previous game have too much baring on it. They’re always big games. It’s two good teams, two big clubs, going at it, and like we’ve seen already this year there’s nothing in the games.”