St Helens may make a habit of hiding their star players during the tough Easter schedule but don't try telling Bulls skipper Jamie Peacock he should think about having some time off on Monday.

"These are the games everybody wants to play in," said Peacock, who is keen to back up from another typically whole-hearted effort against the Rhinos on Thursday night.

"I am up for it and so is the team. I just see it as a bit of a challenge. You have to push yourself through these ten days and try to play well in every game."

The Bulls head to St Helens with both clubs having dropped the opening leg of their Easter double-headers.

Thursday's heavy defeat by the Rhinos leaves the Bulls in danger of slipping out of the top four but, even before that result, Noble insisted there would be no thought of payback over the weakened side Saints brought to Odsal in last year's corresponding fixture.

"No way, we have a tradition of fronting up," said Noble.

"My team selection will be based on who is healthy. It is as simple as that."

But simple it is not. Makeshift centre Jamie Langley copped a heavy knock on Thursday, as did youngster Karl Pryce, while wing Lesley Vainikolo - who has been a shadow of his usual self so far this season - desperately needs some time off to fully regain fitness.

With the club now desperate to boost the number of genuine options at centre in the absence of first-choice pair Shontayne Hape and Paul Johnson, untested youngsters Matt Cook and Ryan Atkins must come into the reckoning.

Atkins is a specialist centre, while Cook is being groomed as a loose forward but has had plenty of game time in the senior academy at centre.

Victory on Monday would see the Bulls achieve their unstated aim of taking at least two points from their Easter fixtures but there is every chance they will risk defeat in this battle in the hope of winning the war later in the season.

"Playing against one and two in the competition in the space of three days is tough on any individual so we need to be smart in what we do," said Noble.

"We have got it all planned. Physically and tactically we know what we will be doing, it is just a matter of personnel."

Noble may yet decide to soldier on with a patched up side made up of his most experienced players but, even if he does, it's hard to see Vainikolo being asked to sacrifice himself again.

Karl Pratt did enough against the Rhinos to suggest he could return to the left wing in place of the big Tongan - a role he filled to great effect at Knowsley Road last season, scoring a hat-trick in a 35-30 defeat.

But if Noble opts for youth over experience, youngster Andy Smith, a specialist left winger, could come into the starting line-up and be partnered by either Atkins or Cook.

Whichever way Noble goes with his backline, the forward pack should still have a solid look about it. Brett Ferres should receive more game time after spending the majority of his first two outings on the bench, while Lee Radford would be the obvious candidate for a rest after running his blood to water on Thursday night.

One thing is for sure, Peacock will be leading the side. And he has not intention of merely showing up to fulfil a fixture requirement.

"There is no way we given up hope of finishing top of the table," said Peacock. "If we can knock off ten or 11 games in a row then you never know what will happen."