Senior determined to prove no weak link in cup assault

The veteran centre has suffered three agonising final losses in Leeds colours and countless last-four defeats so is yet to savour success in the famous competition during his dozen seasons at Headingley.

Senior, of course, was part of the giant-killing Sheffield Eagles team that stunned Wigan in 1998 but did not actually play in the game that took them to Wembley.

"I was banned and Matty Crowther played instead," he recalled. "It was at Headingley as well and I remember watching from the dugout."

While Senior jokingly concedes he could be the weak link, there is no ground-breaking science to Leeds' recent cup failures.

He readily accepts a commanding 80-minute display on Saturday is what is required to reach the final and, if the West Yorkshire club is to end an 11-year wait to lift the trophy, Senior will be central to their cause.

Inconsistency has plagued the team which defeated Saints in the last three Grand Finals and they have toiled to stay in touch with the top four.

But Senior, who signed for Leeds a few months after their 1999 Wembley triumph over London Broncos, said: "We are still a quality team.

"We're just a little bit off but you don't lose that overnight.

"Because we've not been performing that well, there's a little bit of panic sets in. We tend to try and score off every play rather than building momentum, trying to do that final pass rather than wearing down teams.

"We've also been a bit sloppy in defence but that's down to attitude. We know we can do this – it's something that's there – we just need to bring it out again."

Someone who may miss the semi-final through suspension is Carl Ablett.

The Leeds second-row must face an RFL disciplinary today charged with recklessly striking Wigan's Sam Tomkins with the forearm, a grade C offence that carries a ban of two to three matches.

Leeds did receive better news regarding Ryan Bailey, who has escaped with a formal caution for raising his knees in the tackle during Friday night's loss to the Super League leaders, and remain hopeful video evidence will prove Ablett's contact was made with the shoulder.

Hooker Matt Diskin (groin) may make his comeback from a two-month absence while their opponents insist England scrum-half Kyle Eastmond is still not fit to resume since aggravating an ankle injury in last month's 28-24 Super League defeat by the Rhinos.

Australian centre Matt Gidley is likely to resume his old rivalry with Senior after missing Saturday's battle with Warrington.

"I love playing against him," said Senior. "He's a great player and there's a lot of mutual respect for each other. I know I have to be on top of my game."

So will every Leeds player if they are going to take a step closer to filling that void.