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St Helens coach Mick Potter has warned Wigan his side will test the mettle of teenage tryscoring sensation Shaun Ainscough if his counterpart Brian Noble decides to risk him in Saturday's derby at Murrayfield.

Ainscough, 19, is Super League's leading tryscorer with 13 touchdowns in just nine appearances, including four in Sunday's 40-26 victory at Wakefield.

That came after the youngster had been dropped from the team only to be recalled when centre George Carmont pulled out with tonsilitis and Ainscough is not guaranteed to keep his place.

Noble admitted after Sunday's game that Ainscough, who was badly beaten in the air when Wakefield winger Damien Blanch scored one of his two tries, needs to make improvements to his game.

But Potter expects Ainscough to line up opposite England winger Ade Gardner and admits he will be a target for an aerial bombardment.

"I don't know what Brian Noble is going to do but I presume he'll play him," said Potter.

"It was good for the young kid to score four tries. They weren't walk-ins either, he had to work for them.

"I suppose he'll be a target for kicks. He'll get his fair share if we can get down there."

Both clubs are due to name their 19-man squads tomorrow, with Matt Gidley and Tony Puletua returning for Saints and Carmont expected to be back for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Ainscough's overall total for the season went up to 17 today after he was officially credited with four tries in Wigan's 32-20 Challenge Cup fourth-round win at Barrow earlier this month.

Originally he was awarded three but, following video evidence, he has now been credited with one thought to have been scored by Carmont.

www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... elens.html

St Helens coach Mick Potter has warned Wigan his side will test the mettle of teenage tryscoring sensation Shaun Ainscough if his counterpart Brian Noble decides to risk him in Saturday's derby at Murrayfield.

Ainscough, 19, is Super League's leading tryscorer with 13 touchdowns in just nine appearances, including four in Sunday's 40-26 victory at Wakefield.

That came after the youngster had been dropped from the team only to be recalled when centre George Carmont pulled out with tonsilitis and Ainscough is not guaranteed to keep his place.

Noble admitted after Sunday's game that Ainscough, who was badly beaten in the air when Wakefield winger Damien Blanch scored one of his two tries, needs to make improvements to his game.

But Potter expects Ainscough to line up opposite England winger Ade Gardner and admits he will be a target for an aerial bombardment.

"I don't know what Brian Noble is going to do but I presume he'll play him," said Potter.

"It was good for the young kid to score four tries. They weren't walk-ins either, he had to work for them.

"I suppose he'll be a target for kicks. He'll get his fair share if we can get down there."

Both clubs are due to name their 19-man squads tomorrow, with Matt Gidley and Tony Puletua returning for Saints and Carmont expected to be back for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Ainscough's overall total for the season went up to 17 today after he was officially credited with four tries in Wigan's 32-20 Challenge Cup fourth-round win at Barrow earlier this month.

Originally he was awarded three but, following video evidence, he has now been credited with one thought to have been scored by Carmont.