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http://www.superleague.co.uk/news/2065
Anderson names surprise squad
Intrigue surrounds the composition of the St Helens team for their engage Super League Grand Final Eliminator against Bradford - because coach Daniel Anderson has included in his 20-strong squad three players ruled out for the season.
Scrum-half Sean Long and winger Darren Albert, both having undergone surgery to repair broken cheekbones, were named in the initial squad - along with stand-off Jason Hooper, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in last Fridays defeat by Leeds.
Hooper had the shoulder put back in place immediately but was afterwards ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Long and Albert, who both sustained their facial injuries at Wigan on September 9, were also discounted for the rest of the season.
Anderson was non-committal over his selection plans at a press conference at Knowsley Road on Tuesday but conceded that, given the high stakes, he could be tempted to take risks on Friday.
Its elimination, so theres a different mind-set and different reward, he said.
The seasons finished if we dont do the job. Were well aware of that.
Definitely ruled out of Fridays clash, the winners of which will play Leeds in the Grand Final, are captain Paul Sculthorpe, who has undergone major knee surgery, and prop Mark Edmondson, nursing a shoulder injury.
Bradford coach Brian Noble said he was not surprised by Saints shock inclusions but sounded a cautionary note.
There is nothing after it if you lose, so why not if there is no danger to the person involved and theyre willing to give it a go, he said.
But an element of common sense has to take place as well.
If all those three players play, then so be it. Were preparing to be as good as we can be.
While we appreciate Saints turmoil in respect of injuries, were focusing on what we can do, irresective of who we play.
Noble, the Great Britain coach, named Long in his initial squad for the Gillette Tri-Nations Series.
