SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook wants to keep the momentum built from last week's fine win at Hull FC going in Thursday night's derby clash.

And he not expecting Wigan - for all their reported absentees - to be anything other than a tough opposition.

Holbrook points to local bragging rights and Wigan's unbeaten home record as two key factors in making it a big game.

Holbrook said: “Wigan have not lost at home all season and it is the biggest rivalry between the clubs.

"They will also be disappointed after their defeat at Huddersfield last week too.

“We know they will have a few players missing but as for how they will play, that is irrelevant.

"Both teams have a good enough squad to cope if they have a few players out and let’s be honest we know they won’t be poor. They will be ready to play whoever is out there and we will need to be as well.

“The players set standards here and at present we are playing to them every week. We want to keep that going.

“We are playing second this week and they want to close the gap on us and are being chased by Castleford too. It should be a great game.”