SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham has highlighted the threat posed by his experienced former teammate Leon Pryce ahead of Friday night’s clash at Hull.

Pryce has adjusted his style of play as the season has progressed, effectively using the experience garnered from a remarkable 18 years at the top level to guide the Hull team around the park.

In contrast, half back is an area where Saints will have issues on Friday night after stand-in scrum half Jon Wilkin was banned for one match after pleading guilty to a reckless strike on York wing Adam Dent.

With Luke Walsh sidelined, Paul Wellens injured and Lance Hohaia prematurely retired, Saints have what Cunningham describes as “no options” at half back.

He does have scope to make Travis Burns the dominant half and shunt Jordan Turner to the six role he filled towards the back end of last year’s title winning campaign.

Saints may even go with Dougie Charnock, who started off as a junior in the halves but has subsequently been groomed into the number nine role.

Cunningham anticipates a tough game against a side that has been rejuvenated since beating Saints on Easter Monday.

He said: “Hull have changed the way they have played and are playing Leon on ball a lot more. He is organising everything and has turned into a really good player.

“When Leon was at Saints he was a great running player. And it suited him to have myself and Sean Long running the game.

“When he went to Catalans, with experience, he became a lot more mature. That is what happens with age.

“They say that wisdom is wasted on the old, but if you could drop some of that wisdom into younger players then you would have some superstars.

"He is leading the team around beautifully, is in the best form of a good few years and looks like he is enjoying his rugby. He does a lot of good stuff for Hull and it is no coincidence that they are playing well because Leon is playing well.

“So we are going to have to be on our mettle on Friday night.”

Although probably a reluctant half, Wilkin’s absence is a big blow for Saints and will put a big leadership burden on the shoulders of Burns.

It once again underlined how thin Saints’ cover is spread in the halves following Hohaia’s sudden retirement.

Cunningham explained: “We haven’t really got any options left and it really does hurt us.

“It is a big problem for us, particularly with Lance having to retire. He could cover three positions and you cannot replace a player like that midway through the season.

“When it comes to bringing cover in, there are no halves available. And the money you would have to pay to get one would be phenomenal. It is very tough and we are trying exceptionally hard behind the scenes to manufacture things – but some things just cannot be manufactured."

“I have friends who keep texting me with names of halves to look at, but they don’t realise what a salary cap looks like with some of those players.

“It is not fantasy rugby where we can go and get X, Y and Z and then slot them under the salary cap. Doing that is one of the toughest aspects of rugby league.”