BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Super League | Short injury list delights Millward



By Dan Warren BBC Sport Online

Super League Grand Final
Bradford Bulls v St Helens | Commentary on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport Online | Saturday 1830 BST

St Helens coach Ian Millward says he is delighted to have nearly all his squad available as his side prepare for Saturday's Super League Grand Final.

Of Saints' 24-man squad, only Paul Newlove and Tommy Martyn are doubtful for the match against Bradford - and Millward is hopeful that both could still play.

With bruising play-off encounters with Bradford and Wigan behind him, Millward said he was more than happy with the statistics.

"Out of our squad, to only have two blokes doubtful through injury is a huge achievement by the staff and the players," he told BBC Sport Online.

"I'm very excited by how the players look and feel."

Millward admitted he would have been happier if his side had won against Bradford and won the right to an extra week off.

We've sampled the Old Trafford atmosphere, and it's awesome

Ian Millward

But the coach stressed he did not expect that to have much bearing on Saturday's result.

"The advantage they get is that they have a week off - and the other advantage is that they won the game against us!

"But it's a one-off on Saturday, and I don't read too much into the past. What happens on Saturday will have nothing to do with what's happened in the previous 12 months."

Millward said he was pleased with how his side finished in their defeat against Bradford - and their beginning against Wigan in the eliminator.

"We just need to work on the little things in our game to keep our momentum going," he said.

"When we apply pressure we must continually apply pressure.

"Bradford are littered with internationals, and don't forget they're the current world club champions.

"Not one player's achieved that for them, it's a group effort."

Millward said the prospect of the Super League's top two teams going head to head on Saturday was one which should excite all rugby league fans.

"I can't wait. It's one of the great venues in world sport," he said.

"We've been here before and we've sampled the atmosphere, and it's absolutely awesome."