Saints rebuff rumours

St Helens have denied that they are willing to unload three first-team players in order to balance their books.

The Super League champions are the subject of rumours suggesting that they are making Tim Jonkers, John Stankevitch and Barry Ward available to their rivals.

"These players are integral members of our squad," Saints' chief executive, Shaun McGuire, said. "There is no way we would go in for this sort of panic cost-cutting. Saints' Australian utility player, Jason Hooper, has damaged a knee in training – news described by his coach, Ian Millward, as "a savage blow.

The former Castleford and Great Britain prop, Dean Sampson, has decided against a comeback as a player with Wakefield. Sampson retired at the end of last season at the age of 35 and is coaching Castleford's Under-18 side.

Wigan expect to have three injured players, Kris Radlinski, Jamie Ainscough and Gareth Hock, back for tomorrow's game against Bradford.