Pryce can concentrate on Super League finale and World Cup

St Helens stand off Leon Pryce, who is facing an assault charge in his home town of Bradford, is clear to finish the Super League season and play for England in the World Cup.

Pryce, 26, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea at Bradford Magistrates Court on Thursday when his case was adjourned until October 16.

That is three days after the England squad fly to Australia for the World Cup finals but Pryce was granted conditional bail and told he did not have to be in court for the next hearing.

For the moment, the former Bradford Bulls star can concentrate on helping St Helens win Friday night's Super League derby against arch-rivals Wigan.

Victory would extend Saints amazing winning run to a record-breaking 21 in cup and league, give them the League Leaders’ Shield for the third successive season and end Wigan’s hopes of a fourth-place finish and a home tie in the play-offs.

Saints have been celebrating a third consecutive Carnegie Challenge Cup triumph and coach Daniel Anderson had considered resting some of his Wembley winners.

‘If we were playing almost anyone else but Wigan it might be different but none of the players wants to miss this one,’ said Anderson.

The only absentee will be luckless club captain Paul Sculthorpe, who dislocated a shoulder in the first minute at Wembley and has probably played his last game for the club he has served with such distinction for 11 seasons.

Nick Fozzard, who is also leaving at the end of the season, will take Sculthorpe’s place against Wigan who have Pat Richards, Phil Bailey and Darrell Goulding returning after illness.

But Wigan’s hopes of heading for the play-offs - they are guaranteed a place in the top six - with skipper Sean O’Loughlin back in their side have been dashed.

Loose forward O’Loughlin had been back in training earlier in the week but a further scan revealed that the shoulder blade he broke in May had not healed properly and his season is over.

‘It is a serious blow for us and for England because he won’t be fit in time for the World Cup,’ said Wigan coach Brian Noble. ‘He was pencilled in to play against Saints but we cannot go against the specialist’s advice.’

Wigan have lost three times to St Helens already this season but Noble still feels they are capable of pulling off a shock win which would give Leeds Rhinos, who play at Wakefield on Friday, a chance of finishing top.

Leeds are encouraged by the return to fitness of winger Scott Donald and forwards Ryan Bailey and Jamie Jones-Buchanan for the last round of the regular season.

Leeds prop Nick Scruton is leaving to join Bradford next season and Castleford full back Luke Dorn is rejoining Harlequins. Huddersfield have confirmed the capture of Australian stand off Todd Carney from the NRL.