Wane to face former lodger

St Helens prop Kyle Amor has a trial with Wigan earlier in his career.

And the Cumbrian revealed he stopped at Wane’s Standish home during his stint.

Then-coach Brian Noble decided not to offer him a contract and Amor has gone on to play for Leeds, Wakefield and now Saints.

And Wane, who was a youth coach at the time, has been pleased to see him kick-on with his career.

He said: “He came down from Cumbria and stopped with us.

“He played four reserve games, he just didn’t fit for us at the time.

“But he’s kicked on and I’m a big admirer of his, he’s a very good player.”

Asked what kind of house-guest he was, Wane added: “He was nice, quiet, well-mannered – he’s welcome back any time!

“We’ve had loads of players come over and use our spare room over the years. My missus is very hospitable.”

St Helens are one place below Wigan on the table with four wins from their six matches. They were beaten 30-18 at Leeds in their last outing.

“We’re both coming off defeats so we’re very similar, we’re both wounded animals,” said Wane.

“They’re not firing on all cylinders yet, but we’re not.

“I know Keiron Cunningham very well, I’ve a lot of respect for him and he’ll have them up for this game, no doubt about that.”

The return of Joel Tomkins from injury has offset the loss of fellow England forward Liam Farrell.

Sam Tomkins, Micky McIlorum, Willie Isa, George Williams and Dom Crosby are still missing for the Warriors. “I’ve still got the main spine of my team missing but my players are showing a lot of character,” added Wane.

Centre Oliver Gildart is hunting his first derby victory after losing out to their fierce rivals in the Super 8s last season.

An academy-product, Gildart knows all about the rivalry between the two towns.

“Even when you play St Pat’s v Blackbrook as kids, it’s there,” he said.

“It was spicy in the Under-19s and the first-team takes it to another level.

“They’re not playing that well, I don’t think it matters, they’ll be on their best game and we will, too.”

Saints hooker James Roby says he never tires of the derby rivalry.

“Living locally you can’t avoid it – it’s great,” said the England international.

“It always means the same and it always stirs the same emotions.

“We’re both looking to get back to winning ways. Wigan are a fantastic team and we know we need to be at our best.

“It’s always very physical, but the different ingredient is the buzz off the pitch.”

A capacity crowd will watch today’s derby ay Langtree Park, screened by Sky Sports, kick-off is 3.15pm.