SAINTS prop Julian O'Neill is facing a long lay off after tearing shoulder muscles in the clash with Leeds.

The loss of the big Aussie is a major blow going into the play-offs but coach Shaun McRae hopes he may return if the club reaches the latter stages.

Pressure on the front row going into Sunday's home game against Castleford, kick-off 3pm, could be eased if Andy Leathem comes through Thursday's Alliance game against Wigan without a relapse in the knee injury that has sidelined for the last five weeks.

Tommy Martyn is also expected to return to claim his number six spot from Karle Hammond.

This will mean Hammond returning to loose forward, Paul Sculthorpe at second row and Apollo Perelini back at prop.

If Martyn misses, Vila Matautia should start at second row with Perelini at prop.

McRae said: "Cas have had a very inconsistent season but they're capable of giving anyone a game on their day. The half backs Danny Orr and Brad Davis can be very dangerous and Dean Sampson makes a lot of yards."

"Michael Smith has a great right hand in the offload that we'll need to be watchful of as well.

"Losing to Leeds has brought us down to earth after a good run and now we need to pick ourselves up again before the play-offs. May be that defeat was what we needed to keep us focused on work hard."

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