SAINTS will lift the League Leaders Shield on Friday night as long as they avoid defeat against Hull FC.

Last week’s gutsy win in France all but made sure of the top spot, given they are six points clear with three games to play, but the silverware will only be handed over once mathematically certain.

After a couple of disappointing home games, Justin Holbrook wants his side to build on last week’s fine win in Perpignan against a struggling Hull side.

They do have a number of injury concerns, with James Roby and Ryan Morgan still out.

Holbrook said: “Robes is struggling with his shoulder. We don’t want to play him until he is right. But we are in a position now where we don’t have to.

“I have always said that if blokes are right I will play them, because I am not a fan of resting players for no reason – they want to play, let’s play.

“But if people have niggling injuries, we have put ourselves in a position where we can make sure we get them right before the home semi. We did that last week in France.

“Benny was pulled out after captain’s run. He was all set to play. He had a bit of a niggle with his knee so did not play.

“If Benny gets through this week then he will play, but Robes is unlikely. He will probably be next week.

“We have a few doubts. Zeb Taia has a sore hip and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook has an ankle problem. If they recover they will play; if not, they won’t.”

Holbrook was pleased with the way his side went in France - and particularly how his strike players began to see the ball again.

“Jonny had a great game. Theo slotted in nicely at 6 and gave Jonny a lot of ball out the back.

“Jonny is a quality player whether he is one or six and had a fantastic game.

"We knew going there we were going to get whacked about a bit and if we handled that then we would come away with the win.

"Jonny copped more than most, but took it, hung in there and came up with some quality plays and a quality try that won us the game.

“Percy got a lot more ball and we started getting back to playing to our strike players more often.

“We were unlucky not to lead by 18 points at half time,” he said.

Friday's opponents Hull have struggled in the back end of the year - and a fortnight ago conceded 80 points at Warrington.

They produced a more resilient display in the home loss to Castleford Tigers last week, but are still looking for the year to end.

Holbrook said: "Hull still have some great players but their three best players have been out through the Super 8s.

"You just can’t replace players like that, particularly in the halves.

"They are in a bit of a hole, but they still have some dangerous outside backs. It is us to us to worry about how we want to play.

"We haven’t played well the last couple of home games and it has been disappointing."