SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham will not take a gamble by playing Australian scrum-half Luke Walsh in Sunday's World Club Challenge against South Sydney.
The star scrum half recovered from leg and ankle injuries which have kept him out since last July but a virus prevented him making a return to full training in time for last Thursday's Super League round-two game at Salford.
"He won't play," Cunningham said. "He's not ready.
"It's unfortunate he can't be part of such a big event but I don't think we can risk him.
"He's a world-class player and he'd have a big influence on the game but we've a very long season and we'll probably need him on many occasions down the track."
It means Saints will continue for the big game with Jon Wilkin at seven.
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