Lyon hopes for
Australian recall

Blockbusting St Helens centre Jamie Lyon has not given up hope of reclaiming a place in Australia's Test side for the Tri-Nations Series.

"I'd definitely like to play," said the former Parramatta player.

"You always want to play for Australia but they've got some really good players over there and I wouldn't blame them if I didn't get picked."

Lyon has been in outstanding form this season and is a front runner for the Super League Man of Steel award.

"It's a great honour to be recognised as one of the best centres in Super League," he added.

"I'm pretty happy with my form but we've a couple of crucial games to come and I'll have to judge it on them. I've got a little improvement left."

Meanwhile, Super League champions Leeds will be without centre Keith Senior for their qualifying semi-final against St Helens this weekend.

The Great Britain centre has yet to recover from ankle injury suffered in a home loss to Bradford on 19 August.

"It has been a bit slower in healing than we hoped," admitted Leeds coach Tony Smith ahead of Friday's match.

"We are being cautious. The injury is improving, but not to the degree we would have liked, so Keith won't be available for this week."

Leeds are hoping Senior will be fit for the Grand Final on 15 October if they make it to Old Trafford for a second successive season.

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Thanks to BBC Sport for this news.