Saints still hooked on Cunningham's class

Anderson dispelled rumours that Cunningham has been demoted to second-choice hooker behind rising star James Roby.

"Keiron had an absolutely shocking January when we hardly saw him and he is way behind his normal fitness levels," explained Anderson.

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Cunningham: Hindered by injuries

"He suffered whiplash and minor injuries when his car was written off in a road accident. He also had to have emergency dental surgery about a week into the new year and knee surgery when his knee locked.

"He missed 17 days of training but is slowly getting his fitness back.

"It was forced on us that James would start but Keiron will be back in the starting line-up soon. They will probably do a 50-50 share this year. Robes needs it for his development and Keiron is aware of that and has encouraged it."

Cunningham, 31, has been with Saints for 14 years and has played nearly 500 games in the Super League era.

He was recently nominated by the club's fans as the player they most wanted to be commemorated by a statue.

Roby, 22, is the current Super League 'Man of Steel' and a frontrunner to play for England in the World Cup in October.

Anderson also named former Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe in his initial 20-man squad for Friday's visit to Bradford.

Sculthorpe has been battling his way back to fitness after suffering a ruptured achilles tendon eight months ago and was not considered for the opening games against Hull KR and Warrington.

Whether he plays at Bradford depends on how he fares in the team sessions in the next 48 hours but Anderson admitted that Sculthorpe's fitness was now up to 90 per cent.

He could get his chance because loose forward Chris Flannery has joined an injury list that includes three other experienced internationals, Jon Wilkin, Jason Cayless and Maurie Fa'asavalu.

Hull FC captain Lee Radford will make his first appearance of the season in Friday's home game against Wigan.

Radford has recovered from a broken thumb which he suffered in Paul King's testimonial game and was one of seven senior players missing when Hull slumped to a 24-6 home defeat against Harlequins on Sunday.

Hull's Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor was in court in Blackpool this week accused of gouging a doorman's eye at a lap dancing bar in the town.

The alleged incident took place at the Wildcats Club in December and Raynor has been charged with racially aggravated assault.

The case was adjourned until next week.

Harlequins forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, the only player to face a disciplinary charge from the second round of Super League games, pleaded guilty to making a careless tackle in his club's win at Hull.

But the panel ruled that no further action was necessary, so the player will be available for Saturday's game against Wakefield at the Twickenham Stoop.

NRL Grand Final winners Melbourne Storm were due to arrive in Leeds last night to prepare for their World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road on February 29.

They will play a warm-up game at Halifax on Friday.