Catalans v St Helens: Teams

St Helens are looking to avoid a third successive defeat in Perpignan on Saturday night.

Daniel Anderson's men beat the Dragons 30-8 at Wembley to claim the Challenge Cup in the summer but have a miserable record in France.

They went down 21-0 at Stade Gilbert Brutus in August and still have injuries to key men.

Keiron Cunningham is out for two months with a torn quadricep and full-back Paul Wellens will be called on to skipper the side in the absence of Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long.

Great Britain forwards Jon Wilkin and Maurie Fa'asavalu and Australian Chris Flannery are back though and Anderson is convinced his men have the strength in depth to return with the points.

"I don't think you can replace Keiron," he said. "You've just got to handle the situation like we have with all the other injuries.

"We are probably better equipped to replace Keiron than anyone because having James Roby there is the next best thing.

"Robes has plenty of experience now. He knows how to handle the situation and we're very confident he will do a great job for us."

Despite being less than convincing this season, late scores against Wakefield and Hull have taken Saints to the top of the table where they will expect to stay for the rest of the campaign.

Danger

Les Catalans are still looking for their first home win in 2008 after conceding late scores against Hull KR and Bradford in recent weeks.

The Dragons are boosted by the return from suspension of French Test prop David Ferriol, but Casey McGuire (cheekbone), second rower Dane Carlaw (rib), Mathieu Griffi (ankle) and Oliver Elima (knee) are all still sidelined.

Anderson said of Mick Potter's men: "Catalans were done in the 78th minute by Hull KR at home and in the 79th minute by Bradford so they have obviously been unlucky.

"I'm sure they will be desperate because they are one in four. They are not in winning form but they are in good form so it's a challenge for us.

"We've only won one and lost two there and they thoroughly towelled us last year."

The Dragons are currently joint bottom of early league standings, and could do with the points to keep them within touching distance of the play-off places.

Catalans Dragons squad: Clint Greenshields, John Wilson, Adam Mogg, Dimitri Pelo, Thomas Bosc, David Ferriol, Aaron Gorrell, Jérôme Guisset, Sébastien Raguin, Jason Croker, Greg Mounis, Cyrille Gossard, Alex Chan, Jamal Fakir, Cyril Stacul, Rémi Casty, Younes Khattabi, Jean Philippe Baile, Julien Touxagas.

St Helens squad: Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Willie Talau, Francis Meli, Leon Pryce, Lee Gilmour, Jon Wilkin, James Roby, Mike Bennett, Chris Flannery, James Graham, Bryn Hargreaves, Matty Smith, Paul Clough, Ste Tyrer, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Kyle Eastmond.