St Helens have recalled 12 first-team players for the Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup final against Wigan on Saturday.

The players were controversially omitted from the Super League defeat at the hands of Bradford Bulls last weekend.

But now the Cup holders, under investigation for fielding a virtual reserve side against the Bulls, will be at full strength if forwards John Stankevitch and Mick Higham shake off injuries sustained in that match.

Saints' coach Ian Millward has made just one change to the side that beat Leeds in the semi-final nine days ago, with former New Zealand Test winger Sean Hoppe returning to the bench at the expense of former Wigan centre Dwayne West.

"Stankevitch and Higham are definite doubts but I'm confident everyone will play," said Millward.

Stankevitch is one of only four ever-presents so far this season and, after being left out of the team that lifted the cup 12 months ago, is desperately keen to play.

"It's something he spent 12 months training very hard for and set himself a huge goal to play in a Challenge Cup final and now he could be denied,

"He put his body on the line last Saturday. There's probably a moral to that story," added Millward.

Millward said the decision to recall Hoppe, who twisted his ankle and knee on the eve of the semi-final, was a straightforward one.

"Sean is the most professional player at this club,

"His commitment to the cause is outstanding and he's very multi-skilled.

"He's got big-match experience and players like playing with him. He's also more experienced and more seasoned than Dwayne and, to be honest, it was a pretty easy decision," Millward said.

Meanwhile Millward insists the row over team selection for the Bradford game is proving no distraction.

"It doesn't worry me, it's not an issue,

"I just want to prepare for the game, it's the biggest game of the year," added Millward.