Noble wary of depleted Saints as play-offs loom

Saints are without three regulars following last weekend's stormy derby at Wigan. Sean Long and Darren Albert have both had their seasons ended by fractured cheekbones, while Lee Gilmour is concussed. They were already without Paul Sculthorpe and Mark Edmondson, but the Bradford coach does not think a club guaranteed first place going into the Super League play-offs will ease up.

"Long, Albert and Sculthorpe are big players for them, but they have been without them before and beaten some good sides," Noble said.

Vinnie Anderson is fit to replace Gilmour, while Ian Hardman comes in for Albert on the wing and James Roby is Long's likely stand-in at scrum-half.

Bradford will expect a much bigger contribution from Adrian Morley, the Great Britain forward on loan from Sydney Roosters, who made a low-key debut last week. He has now had the benefit of a full week's training with his temporary team-mates.

In tomorrow's games, London can only be deprived of sixth place and a role in the play-offs by defeat at the hands of Widnes, who are already relegated.

It will be a poignant occasion for the Broncos, who will mark the 25th anniversary of their foundation - as Fulham - with their final match at Griffin Park. As of next season they will be known as Harlequins Rugby League and will be playing at The Stoop.

London have received a major boost on the eve of the play-offs with the return from injury of Rob Purdham and their captain, Mark McLinden.

In the unlikely event of them slipping up, Wigan or - just possibly - Huddersfield could grab sixth place by winning the match between the two at the Galpharm Stadium.

The National League One play-offs begin tomorrow, with Hull KR at home to Rochdale and Halifax hosting Doncaster, the one club to say that they do not want to go up into Super League.

Rochdale's coach, the former Great Britain scrum-half Bobbie Goulding, has not ruled out a surprise playing comeback following a biceps operation.

In National League Two, Gateshead have done well to reach the play-offs but face a formidable task at Workington, while there is little to choose between Swinton and Hunslet.