HOPEFULLY refreshed after a brief holiday, second-placed Saints face a daunting trip to Belle Vue, Wakefield, on Sunday, kick-off 3.30pm.

Coach Ian Millward and his high-flying squad arived back at Knowsley Road on Thursday, and a fitness check on bumps and bruises after the London victory will be the immediate priority.

Sean Long (knee surgery), Tommy Martyn, Vila Matautia, Kevin Iro and Paul Sculthorpe are all ruled out as Saints brace themselves to tackle second-from-bottom Wildcats, who won the corresponding game 32-16 last season.

Saints, however, defeated Wakefield 30-22 in the first clash at Belle Vue in 2001, while the Wildcats earned a cliff-hanging 23-22 victory at Oakwell, Barnsley, in the Millennium year.

Wakefield have won five matches so far, and were regarded as unlucky to lose 26-20 at Halifax on Sunday, when former Saints' prop Julian O'Neill did his best to ward off defeat by scoring two tries.

Wildcats will select from: Pearson; Sovatabua, Westwood, G. Law, N. Law; Ellis, Davies; O'Neill, Rauter, Watene, Poching (captain), Hudson, Field. Substitutes March, Price, Jackson, Handforth

Supporters' Club coaches will leave Knowsley Road at 1pm, price £8.50 and £6.50.

Saints' media manager David Burke is currently enjoying a stamina-sapping 'holiday' in the Canadian Rockies - on a sponsored bike ride in aid of children's charities!

Rising stars Anthony Stewart and Tim Jonkers have been selected in the Irish side to play France at Salford on Tuesday, June 26.

Leading try-scorers at Saints this season are: Paul Newlove (12), Keiron Cunningham (11), Paul Sculthorpe (10), Tony Stewart and Paul Wellens (9). Sean Long has touched down on eight occasions and kicked 64 goals for a total of 161 points.

David Fairleigh will be a guest of the Independent Supporters' Association at the Police Club, Bishop Road, on Monday, June 18, at 7.30pm. Saints' three trophies will be on display. Details from Linda Edwards on 617246.

Saints' Academy team won 44-4 at London Broncos on Saturday. They travel to Wakefield on Sunday, kick-off 1pm

Ex-Saints forward Joe Donegan is seeking old photographs and other memorabilia of the Clock Face amateur club. Joe can be contacted on 814029.

Saints have denied rumours that they have inquired about Lee Briers of Warrington and Paul Deacon of Bradford.

Meanwhile goal-kicking Alliance half-back John Braddish is reported to be interesting Oldham.

A golf day in aid of the Anthony Sullivan testimonial will be held at Grange Park on Thursday, July 5. Further details from Tom Carroll on St. Helens 734555.

Oil paintings depicting Saints' Grand Final win against Wigan are on sale in the superstore, price £35 (framed) and £25 (unframed).

Saints have offered David Fairleigh an extension to his current one-year contract. The Australian will either accept the new terms or retire.

Answer to correspondent Joe Butler of Parr: Saints were undefeated away in season 1952-53. Their first away defeat in the league in the following season was by 14-3 at Halifax on September 26. Wilf Roach scored Saints' try and the team was: Moses; Llewellyn, Greenall, Roach, McCormick; Howard, Honey; Prescott, Blakemore, Ayles, Parsons, Bretherton, Karalius.