St Helens coach Daniel Anderson believes Wigan's impressive home form makes them especially dangerous opponents in Friday night's engage Super League derby at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan have conceded 103 points in this season's derbies at Knowsley Road and the Millennium Stadium but have won their last three home games, including a thrilling 23-22 defeat of defending champions Leeds a fortnight ago.

And Anderson needs no reminding that Saints were beaten 20-12 on their last visit to the JJB Stadium last September when the Warriors needed the points to clinch a play-off spot.

Wigan's hopes of a top-three finish were dashed by their surprise 39-22 defeat at Hull KR last Sunday which underlined their inconsistency but Anderson will not be lulled into complacency.

"I have never seen them up and down at the JJB," he said. "We know how Wigan will be.

"They've played very well at home this year. We know what team we're going to be up against."

Forced to spend a month away from the JJB Stadium to allow a new pitch to be laid, Wigan now have the luxury of having five of their last seven games at home.

"We do like the JJB, that's common knowledge," said coach Brian Noble.

"There are still seven games to go so there is plenty to play for."

Noble will be without his skipper Sean O'Loughlin, who aggravated a shoulder injury on his comeback last Sunday, and new signing Tim Smith, whose debut has been delayed by a hamstring strain.

"We're not overly concerned with the opposition," said Anderson. "They had a few blokes out against Leeds and performed very well."

St Helens could have New Zealand prop Jason Cayless back in action after a six-week lay-off with a knee injury while stand-off Leon Pryce will aim to make the headlines for his rugby following his recent arrest for an alleged assault.

Cayless is hoping to get some match fitness ahead of next Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final with Leeds but Anderson will leave a decision until just before kick-off tonight.

"We named him in the 19 because he's training," said Anderson. "There is no guarantee he will line up on Friday.

"He is better than he was two weeks ago but he's played in big games before without minutes of preparation time. He had five or six weeks out and went straight back in."

Friday night's match at fifth-placed Wigan kicks off what could prove to be a pivotal weekend for the Super League title-chasers, with Leeds taking on third-placed Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday.

The French club could find themselves top of the pile if results go their way but Anderson says his side are determined to extend their 14-match winning run.

"We're feeling pretty good," he said. "We're confident in how we're going, although we know it's going to be a big challenge."

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