SAINTS will run with a slightly shorter squad for Sunday’s Karalius Cup clash against neighbours Widnes.

Vikings won the pre-season competition last winter, and Saints boss Keiron Cunningham wants a physical test from Denis Betts’ men to get them up to mark for the start of Super League on February 5.

The game is likely to see a return of Tommy Makinson, who is recuperating from off-season surgery, with Adam Swift set to come back next week at Swinton.

Cunningham said: “We will go with about 22 or 23 players, but getting that final team with such a thick squad and a lot of them playing pretty good, so it is going to be hard tapping people on the shoulder.

“Hopefully Widnes will be a good physical game.

“They have recruited well and have got a good pack.

“That is something we want to be up against.

“We ran into the season last year off the back of a Wigan game and that was a good test.

“That is what we want off Widnes. But we want to earn the right to do things instead of being gifted it.”

There are still a few issues for Cunningham to sort out, with a trimmed-down Jordan Turner and Dominique Peyroux vying for a centre spot.

Cunningham said: “JT looks really good. He got a bit heavy at times last year and struggled laterally with it.

“I am still not sure where we are going to play him or likewise with Dom. He is a right-sided centre who can play a bit of back row, whereas JT is left centre who can play a bit of right side and a bit of six.

“JT can be quite dominant at six and is a good leader and works well with Walshy when we put them out in training.”

It will put pressure on Travis Burns, who is into his second year of a three-year deal after signing from Hull KR.

Cunningham added: “Travis has trained well and is determined to do a lot of things this year.

“I hope he can because if he plays well and then Walshy plays well.

“If key people are playing well that puts you in good stead.

“I am hopeful for him that he does but if it doesn’t work out in any department then we have got plenty of cover in lots of areas.”

Sunday's game will see Jack Owens come up against his former club for the first time.

With Lomax due back in about six weeks, Owens has the opportunity to show off his attributes.

Cunningham was pleased with most parts of Owens' game on Sunday.

He said: "Owens looked like a Saints player. He did lots of good things but put the ball down for their try – he was just a little out of position to get under it.

"He looked good on the wing, too, and as an extra bonus there is his goal kicking – he can strike the ball.

"I am still shocked Widnes let him go, but their loss is our gain."