ONE swallow doesn’t make a summer, and Saints now need to build on the win at Hull when they host Salford Red Devils tomorrow.

Paul Wellens’ men have already lost two tight league contests against Salford this season – a first for 44 years – so Saints have to find a way of making sure they do not concede a hat-trick.

“I think it’s probably Salford’s big improvement area this year that they’ve been in tight games, been happy to be in tight games, and come out the right side of it,” said Saints head coach Paul Wellens.

“They’re a really competitive team, a strong team who challenge you in a number of different ways.

“People talk a lot about how expansive they are with the ball at times and they can be, but you can’t confuse that with a lack of toughness because they’re tough through the middle of the field.

“They know there are times and periods in a game that you have to hang tough and they’re capable of doing that, and that’s what’s made them a strong side throughout the course of the year.”

Other than the suspended Tim Lafai, a big miss for the visitors, Salford boss Paul Rowley will be picking from a near full-strength squad.

Salford 21: Ryan Brierley, Ethan Ryan, Nene Macdonald, Deon Cross, Cade Cust, Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton, Amir Bourouh, Sam Stone, Kallum Watkins, Ollie Partington, Chris Atkin, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks, Chris Hankinson, Joe Mellor, Gil Dudson, Harvey Wilson, Loghan Lewis, Joe Bullock, Jayden Nikorima.

As previously reported, Wellens has named the returning Alex Walmsley in his 21-man squad for the Super League Round 21 battle, kick-off 8pm.

Walmsley’s inclusion is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, while Mark Percival is also back in the reckoning after serving a one-match suspension.

Youngsters Will Roberts and Jonny Vaughan are the two Saints players who step out from last week’s squad declaration.

Saints 21: Tommy Makinson, Waqa Blake, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye, James Bell, Curtis Sironen, Agnatius Paasi, Matt Whitley, Ben Davies, Sam Royle, Jake Burns, Tee Ritson, Noah Stephens, Harry Robertson.

Last ten meetings:

Salford 20, St Helens 18 (SLR15, 23/6/24)

St Helens 20, Salford 24 (SLR4, 8/3/24)

Salford 15, St Helens 18 (SLR21, 6/8/23)

St Helens 26, Salford 12 (SLR12, 13/5/23)

St Helens 19, Salford 12 (SLSF, 17/9/22)

Salford 44, St Helens 12 (SLR21, 31/7/22)

St Helens 14, Salford 10 (SLR11, 29/4/22)

Salford 26, St Helens 14 (SLR25, 17/9/21)

St Helens 28, Salford 0 (SLR6, 17/5/21)

St Helens 29, Salford 6 (SLR1, 26/3/21)

(at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)

Super League summary:

Outcomes: St Helens won 48 (includes wins in 2019 Grand Final and 2022 play-offs), while Salford won 11

St Helens highest score: 66-16 (H, 2001) (Widest margin: 58-4, A, 2000)

Salford highest score: 44-10 (H, 2016); 44-12 (H, 2022) (Widest margin: 44-10, H, 2016)

Milestones:

Tommy Makinson needs one try to move ahead of Ryan Atkins into stand-alone seventh place in the list of Super League's all-time leaders -

Ryan Hall 250

Danny McGuire 247

Josh Charnley 244

Keith Senior 199

Paul Wellens 199

Jermaine McGillvary 196

Ryan Atkins 186

Tommy Makinson 186

Leon Pryce 173

Luke Dorn 170

Daryl Clark needs one try to reach 100 for his career.

- 8 for St Helens (2024)

- 52 for Warrington Wolves (2015-2023)

- 37 for Castleford Tigers (2011-2014)

- 1 for England (2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023)

- 1 for Great Britain (2019)