Bailey and Walker return for fresh start

Leeds' released prisoners, Ryan Bailey and Chev Walker, will get back to what they know best on Boxing Day when they play their first game since serving their sentences.

The pair, who were sent to young offenders' institutions for their involvement in a nightclub brawl, have both been named in the Rhinos' team to face Castleford - Walker in the centres and Bailey in the second row.

"They are both champing at the bit to play," their new coach, Tony Smith, said. "It's a great opportunity for them to get back into the fray with their mates. Ryan has been back in training since day one, so he's ready. Chev's only been back a week, but he's in good nick. If he wasn't in the frame of mind to play, I wouldn't play him."

Smith, taking charge of a Leeds team for the first time, believes that a pre-season friendly is the ideal chance for the two players to work their way back into the squad without too much of a fanfare.

The same goes for Leeds' major close-season signing, Marcus Bai, who will be making his debut for the club in the same game, following his move from the Melbourne Storm.

"He's a typical, enthusiastic New Guinean," Smith said. "This is a good way for him to start learning about playing with a new club and I'm excited about watching him."

St Helens hope to announce two new signings in the new year to complete their squad for 2004. Their coach, Ian Millward, wants to add a front-rower and an outside back and says that he is pursuing several options in both positions. "The board are giving me plenty of support in bringing these two players in," said Millward, whose new prop could be Andrew Hart, a player he coached in the lower grades and who was at South Sydney last season. He has also been looking at a couple of Samoans, one of whom could fill the gap in the squad left by the surprising decision to let Tony Stewart go on a season-long loan to Salford.

"He has been outstanding for us, but people might understand that move better when they see who we sign in January," said Millward, who has given Sean Long time off before starting training, after playing 42 games last season.