PAUL Sculthorpe's play-off and Tri-Nations hopes hang in the balance after a reocurrence of the troublesome knee injury that ruled him out of the business end of last season.

The Saints and Great Britain captain, who has endured a nightmare stop-start 12 months with injuries, was withdrawn in the opening quarter of Friday's game after 'feeling weak and having no power in his leg'.

He has had scans earlier this week which will be viewed by specialists. Sculthorpe will then sit down with the coach and club's medical staff to decide on the best course of action.

Coach Daniel Anderson said: "At the moment we are exploring every medical possibility and going down every avenue to get some answers.

"We will try to find a couple of big guns in the field of knees and try and get their opinions. You base a decision on their information.

"We will get some scenarios late this week or early next week and hopefully then Scully, myself and the medical staff will sit down and make a decision. Ultimately the decision will rest with Scully himself."

Sculthorpe underwent a major knee operation in August 2005 which took him six months to recover from.

On his return has taken on a more limited playing role, losing his loose forward spot, to tie in with his movement limitations.

However, he was further hampered by a knee ligament injury sustained whilst skippering Great Britain, which ruled him out for five games in July.

Anderson added: "At this stage it is not a significant change from how he has been this year and he could play week in, week out.

"He is just not comfortable about the strength component he has and it has just flared up.

"One of those scenarios is to keep going as he is now - going from game to game, training session to session, and we rehab around and get him onto the field.

"Hopefully we will get some medical scenarios which are better than that. His playing possibilities are still a little bit in the air.

"He had a scan on Monday night which will be presented to specialists to get their opinion. Our medical department are pushing things he wants to do and as soon as he says no, we will stop it. At the moment Scully wants to investigate some different scenarios."

Prior to the Challenge Cup Final Sculthorpe, who turns 29 later this month, was confident of regaining the aspects of the game he has had to curtail this season.

But this flare up is a further setback - particularly as he was striving to secure an extension to his contract which runs out at the end of 2007.

A FUND-raising Irish Party Night in aid of the forthcoming Saints Academy tour to Australia is being held at Haydock C & B Club, Ireland Road on Saturday, September 9 starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced �5.