IF Saints needed any extra motivation to progress past this first tough Challenge Cup hurdle, there is the lure of playing the showpiece games of the tournament in front of crowds.

Some fans will begin to be welcomed back from May 17 - with Saints’ game with Salford put back to that Monday to try and get some supporters in.

Although the fans will still be missing for the Challenge Cup quarters the week before that, when the last eight will be played as double-headers on neutral grounds, there is the semi and final to aim for.

Saints boss Kristian Woolf said: “It is something to look forward to and we can’t wait to get those fans back.

“All the things that fans create at a game, we can’t wait to have that back in rugby league.

“At some stage that is going to be a big incentive for the players, particularly when you get to the bigger games as it is going to be a real add-on.

“We don’t have that this weekend, so we have to make sure we create that excitement.

“That is something the players have got quite used to and done a really good job and deserve credit.”

The draw takes place on Saturday at half time during the second game on BBC2.