SAINTS have made a number of changes to the 21-man squad for Monday's Super League clash against Salford as they plough on with their mission of finishing top of the Super League table for a third year in succession.

They are currently in top spot on 80 per cent, with Wigan 73.33%. Warrington and Catalans both on 66.67% and Leeds on 57.14% so that destiny is still in their own hands.

In the first of the Easter-type scenarios that are going to be inflicted on sides in the last three weeks, Saints have gone for rotation against the beaten Wembley finalists.

There will be no Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax, Regan Grace, Janes Roby, Zeb Taia, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook or Matty Lees, but an old head in James Graham returns after missing the last three weeks.

There is also a possible first inclusion post-lockdown of Joseph Paulo.

In all likelihood Lewis Dodd will start his first game in the halves.

The remainder of the squad is sprinkled with Academy graduates and there will inevitably be a cluster of debutants, including Jake Wingfield.

Coach Kristian Woolf said: "Most have come through healthy. We’ll see who has pulled up well and if anyone carries any niggles.

“A number of blokes will back up - they’re all important games at the moment.

“Salford are in the same boat - they have just played a tough game against Wigan and will have to back up the same as we do.

“There’s no advantage or disadvantage there, everyone’s in the same boat.

“We’re going to have to give some young blokes opportunities and it’s exciting to be able to do that as well.

“It is a challenge."

Having topped the pile in 2018 and 2019, Woolf's men have a third League Leaders Shield in their sights - but the game on Friday against Wigan will have a big bearing on that.

Saints also have clashes with fellow top sides Catalans and Warrington, plus a match with Hull FC to play before the regular campaign ends.

On the mission to finish top Woolf said: “It’d be a great achievement that’s for sure and it’s something we’d like to do and are aiming to do.

“It is going to be difficult because there are so many games played in short periods and the fact of the matter is you’re going to have to rotate people whether you like it or not.

“You’re going to have to rotate good players and that does make it hard to win every game.

“But it’s certainly something we’d love to do."

Saints: 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 12, Dom Peyroux, 14. Morgan Knowles, 16. Kyle Amor, 17, Jack Ashworth, 18, Joseph Paulo, 19. Aaron Smith, 20. James Bentley, 21, Matty Costello, 22. Jack Welsby, 23, Joe Batchelor, 24, Josh Eaves, 26, Josh Simm, 27, Lewis Dodd, 29, Matty Foster, 30, Tom Nisbet, 31, Jake Wingfield, 32. James Graham.