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Rugby League

Saints wait on double fitness worry

08/10/2007

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson has revealed that both Sean Long and Maurie Fa'asavalu are injury doubts ahead of the weekend's Super League grand final against Leeds at Old Trafford.

The pair, who were instrumental in driving the Saints to the top of the table during the regular season, both missed out on the qualifying semi-final win over the same opponents two weeks ago and may not be fit for the rematch on Saturday.

Scrum-half Long has been unavailable to Anderson for more than a month with a troublesome hamstring strain while Fa'asavalu has been hampered by an almost identical problem.

Anderson has admitted that time is running out for both players as they step up their recovery work over the coming week.

"By Wednesday, we'd like to see significant progress and Friday will be the defining decision," he said.

"They haven't trained with the team. If Longy and Maurie are available, they'll play. If they don't make it, then we roll with what we've got."

By contrast Leeds approach the game with an empty treatment room as coach Tony Smith aims to end his time at Headingley on a winning note before he takes over the Great Britain job at the end of the season.

Such absences could prove critical in the big showdown with both sides braced for a ferociously-fought encounter similar to St Helens' 12-10 win a fortnight ago.

"I hope as a coach that it's not that close but I've got a sneaking suspicion there's not much between us and the spread won't be that far," Anderson admitted.