Blow for Wilkin in heavyweight fight; Potter starts forward planning.

Byline: IAN LAYBOURN

ST HELENS have gained one England forward but lost another for their table-topping showdown with Leeds at Headingley tomorrow.

Maurie Fa'asavalu will make his comeback from a broken arm in the engage Super League Grand Final re-match but Jon Wilkin is sidelined with a knee injury that could also threaten his participation in the end-of-season Four Nations series.

The 25-year-old Wilkin has missed only one match in the second half of the season and coach Mick Potter is hoping he will sit out only one game for now.

"He couldn't get through training," said Potter. "He's got a bit of floating cartilage in there and at some stage he'll need a clear-out.

"We're trying to stave it off to the end of the season but I wouldn't think it would rule him out for the complete (Four Nations) tournament."

Fa'asavalu, who broke his arm in Saints' win at Warrington in July, has been given specialists' clearance to make his return for a match that will almost certainly decide the League Leaders' Shield.

Leeds have gone top on points difference after scoring 144 points in their last two matches and play lowly Salford in their final match of the regular season on Friday week.

Saints, whose last League game is at home to Catalans Dragons, are also boosted by the return of prop Bryn Hargreaves, loose forward Andrew Dixon and half-back Kyle Eastmond, who all missed the 12-10 win over Huddersfield a fortnight ago.

"It's a bonus to get Maurie back," said Potter.

"He was initially out for 10 to 11 weeks so we get at least a week's grace. He adds a bit of spark from the bench."

Meanwhile, Potter is still waiting to hear whether captain Keiron Cunningham is to play on for another season.

The veteran hooker, who turns 33 next month, is thought to be considering postponing his retirement for a second successive year and is currently in talks with club chairman Eamon McManus.

"I'm leaving that with the chairman," said Potter. "I'm sitting back and waiting. It's purely up to Keiron and how he's feeling. He's still playing okay at the moment.

"I'm sure it will happen soon enough. We've just about got the squad all sorted for next year, it's not like we're scrambling to get six or seven players in."

Potter revealed he is considering adding one more signing to that of Sydney Roosters centre Sia Soliola and confirmed that Scott Moore would return from his season-long loan spell with Huddersfield to provide competition for the hooking role with Cunningham and James Roby.

"I would be interesting having three international hookers," said Potter.

"Someone would have to play somewhere else."

Leeds will be virtually at full strength as they look to avoid a third successive home defeat by Saints.

Carl Ablett returns from a hamstring injury and fellow back row forward Ian Kirke is available after recovering from a broken leg, leaving only hooker Danny Buderus on the sidelines.

Winger Scott Donald is also expected to play after recovering from a groin strain suffered in training.

LOCKING HORNS: Jon Wilkin will miss the Grand Final re-match with Leeds but MAurie Fa'asavalu (inset) is set to return

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LOCKING HORNS: Jon Wilkin will miss the Grand Final re-match with Leeds but MAurie Fa'asavalu (inset) is set to return