LAST Friday's defeat against Leeds, which allowed rivals Wigan to leap-frog Saints in the table, may shape Ian Millward's selection policy ahead of Friday night's game at Odsal (kick-off 8pm)

The battle for fourth place is now out of Saints' hands, because even if they win at Odsal, they will still need Wigan to slip up at home to Warrington.

It is one factor Millward was weighing up with regard to picking Friday's team. Reading between the lines, it seems likely that key front-rowers Keiron Cunningham and Nick Fozzard, who have been playing with injuries, will sit this one out.

Millward said: "We picked up a few injuries against Leeds and I don't want to make any decisions yet until later in the week.

"We put a lot into Friday's game and into trying to get fourth spot. You saw by the way we played, we were unlucky not to get something out of that.

"I have a few blokes who have been carrying injuries for a few weeks and I will see how they are. I have to do what I feel is best for my blokes with regards injuries, particularly as we will be playing Wigan the following week.

"I have to pick my strongest team in case Warrington roll Wigan over, but I also have to consider guys like Nick and Keiron who have been playing with injuries. I will make the decisions on what is good for this week and next!"

If Saints finish fifth and Wigan fourth, Milward's men will travel to the JJB for a sudden death eliminator on Saturday, September 25.

St Helens have announced their 17-man squad for the Bradford fixture:

Wellens, Gardner,Talau, Viane, Hardman, Roby, Long, Mason, Higham, Fa'asavalu, Joynt, Stankevitch,Wilkin.

Substitutes: Bennett, Graham, Feaunati, Bracek

St Helens welcome back from injury Dominic Feaunati, Maurie Fa'asavalu and Ian Hardman.

They are also giving a deserved debut to Andy Bracek, who was outstanding in England Academy under-18s' historic triumph over Australian Schoolboys.

Sean Long will be captain on his return to the side.

A number of players who have been out through injury in recent weeks continue to be unavailable. In addition, Paul Sculthorpe and Lee Gilmour have sustained short-term injuries which rule them out of selection for this game.