St Helens have been handed a boost ahead of their 2008 Super League Grand Final re-match against Leeds on Friday after former New Zealand Warriors winger Francis Meli was finally granted a visa.

The 29-year-old, who scored 60 tries in seven seasons with the Warriors, has missed Saints' first five games of the season after his original visa expired while on World Cup duty with Samoa.

His last game for St Helens was the shock 24-16 defeat to the Rhinos in the October Grand Final and now the clubs face each other twice in the space of a fortnight, with a Challenge Cup clash to follow on April 5.

But Saints boss Michael Potter insists their only focus is on closing the gap on unbeaten Leeds at the top of the table.

He said: "The cup tie will not come into the equation on Friday night and it will be a case of using the old cliche of taking one game at a time.

"If you get too far ahead of yourself, you can be in trouble and as far as I am concerned we will be totally focused on the league encounter and nothing else."

Former Penrith Panthers star Tony Puletua is still missing for Saints with a groin injury but both Lee Gilmour and Maurie Fa'asavalu return after missing the 38-12 thrashing of Salford City Reds.

For Leeds, New Zealand international fullback Brent Webb continues on his comeback trail from back surgery but may have to settle for a place on the bench due to the form of Lee Smith.

Unbeaten Hull will give former Brisbane Broncos hooker Shaun Berrigan a late fitness test ahead of Friday's match against Castleford.

Berrigan had to have a scan on his arm following Hull's 36-24 victory at Bradford but the damage is not as bad as first feared while Tigers centre Michael Shenton is rated doubtful with a thigh injury.

Wigan have a clean bill of health as they travel to struggling Salford.

Ian Sibbit, who could have been starting a lengthy ban this weekend after testing positive for a banned substance, is available again for the Reds after recovering from a rib injury.

The former Melbourne Storm backrower escaped with a reprimand from the Rugby Football Union after convincing them that his positive test was related to over-use of the anti-asthma medicine Salbutamol.

Under pressure Bradford boss Steve McNamara has recalled in-form winger Dave Halley from his loan spell with Wakefield.

He will go straight into the team for the crunch clash with Catalans Dragons and the French side could hand a first start to former Cronulla halfback Greg Bird.

Celtic Crusaders fullback Tony Duggan faces a race against time to recover from a groin injury ahead of Sunday's home match with Wakefield.

The Wildcats have key duo Danny Brough and former New Zealand Warrior Tevita Leo-Latu available after their successful comebacks in the 30-10 home win over the Dragons.

Kiwi international David Faiumu is set to return for Huddersfield against Harlequins, although former St George coach Nathan Brown may play the hooker in the back row.

Paul Cooke is set to return to Hull KR's squad for the trip to winless Warrington, who are expected to ring the changes following the humiliating 60-8 defeat at Harlequins.

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