Saints lose Lyon but Williams due for Broncos debut

While most clubs are counting the cost of some bad injuries on Good Friday, two others are looking forward to delayed debuts from pivotal players.

While most clubs are counting the cost of some bad injuries on Good Friday, two others are looking forward to delayed debuts from pivotal players.

St Helens will be without Jamie Lyon and Mark Edmondson for this lunchtime's clash with Bradford, both of them having collapsed after the gruelling game at Wigan. Willie Talau is still out and Sean Long is also doubtful today.

There will be no repeat, however, of the infamous selection of a dozen reserves for the same fixture last year, something that triggered a betting scandal and a change in the rules on squad declaration.

Wigan might have won their local derby, but they have paid a price for it, with Sean O'Loughlin, Danny Sculthorpe, Danny Orr and Kevin Brown added to a lengthy injury list for this afternoon's game at Hull.

O'Loughlin's knee injury appears to be the most serious. He is due to have further examinations, but the fear is that he could be out for the season. A series of youngsters - James Coyle, Bryn Hargreaves, Chris Melling, Liam Colbon and Paul Prescott - come in for the trip to the KC Stadium.

Hull suffered only one injury in their win at the London Broncos, but it is an important one as it deprives them of their hooker and captain, Richard Swain, with a broken arm.

Replacing a player as durable and influential as Swann will be a problem for John Kear, who said: "We have a number of options who could slot in, including Danny Brough, but we will be keeping our selection close to our chest."

The London Broncos have the former Melbourne forward, Danny Williams, ready to make his debut at Leigh after serving the remainder of an 18-match suspension imposed for striking an opponent in Australia.

Williams says that he is not a thug and wants to show the Broncos that he is a solid proposition for an extended contract. "I've served my time now and I'm looking forward to getting back into it," Williams said.

Huddersfield have the Australian Test centre, Michael De Vere, in their side for the first time against Salford, after an eight-month absence following knee surgery.

For tonight's game against Wakefield at Headingley, Leeds are without Andrew Dunemann, Danny Ward and Ali Lauitiiti, but Danny McGuire is ready to return after a groin operation and Lee Smith making his debut. Trinity are without Julian O'Neill and Sam Obst.