Shenton looking to upset his new club St Helens

The England centre has signed a lucrative three-year deal with St Helens starting next season but first has unfinished business with his current club as they head into their most crucial game of the campaign – at Knowsley Road.

Eighth-placed Castleford venture to five-time champions Saints this evening knowing they must win their final regular fixture of the season to guarantee the last remaining spot in the Super League play-offs.

However, their hosts are also desperate to triumph as it is the last league game at their famous old ground and they also need the win to beat Warrington into second place.

The Wolves edged out Harlequins 36-22 last night meaning the Saints have to do better than an eight-point winning margin to regain the runners-up spot.

Shenton, one of the Tigers' finest academy products having played more than 150 matches for his hometown club, told the Yorkshire Post: "I don't want this to be my last game for Cas.

"None of us want this to be our last week together which it could be if we lose.

"There's a few other guys moving on as well as me like Mitch Sargent who's retiring but it's in our hands – if we win, we're in.

"There will be a lot of emotion there for Saints being the last night and all but we've been to these big clubs and put in good performances before.

"We've quietened their crowd and got the result. We know and have proved we can play well away from home.

"There will be no bigger place than Knowsley Road on Saints' last home game there to do it again."

Castleford defeated champions Leeds at Headingley on the opening day of their season and enjoyed a prolific June but have won just once in their last four games to leave Terry Matterson's side with some late jitters.

Shenton, meanwhile, conceded deciding to leave was the biggest decision of his life but the chance to further his career with one of the most successful clubs of the summer era was too good to turn down.

Facing his future team-mates in such a significant clash could unsettle lesser professionals but he is ultra-focused on achieving his current side's principal aim.

"Terry (Matterson) has had a word with me and told me to relax," said the 24-year-old.

"He said I've nothing to prove to anyone and just to play my usual game.

"That's what I'll be trying to do and next year is next year.

"I always said I'd be committed to Cas and I've been here so long that was always going to be the case. This is the most important part of the year for us and it's all about getting Castleford Tigers in the play-offs."

Crusaders can pip them if they get a better result against Hull KR in a game that kicks off at the same time.

However, the West Yorkshire club – level but with a superior points difference – are in pole position to reach the finale for a second year running.

Shenton added: "We tasted it last season but it was disappointing as we lost out at Wigan in a game we should have won.

"If we got there again I'm sure we'd fare a lot better from that experience but we've got to turn up at Saints first."

Tigers were hammered 52-18 at home the last time they met

St Helens on Easter Monday but had only trailed 16-10 at the break before the unplayable Leon Pryce took control.

He will not feature tonight although Saints do have the equally pivotal duo of Keiron Cunningham and Kyle Eastmond fit and ready to send them off in style.

"It's ridiculous the amount of threats they've got all over the park," added Shenton.

"But they're only as good as you let them be. If you let them play and get a roll on they will hurt you and are probably the hardest team in the world to stop.

"Everyone knows what great support play they have and how they push though but we have to be aggressive with them.

"We know we can stop them."

Shenton, who will replace Saints' Australian legend Matt Gidley, recollects his finest game being Castleford's 31-30 success over Leeds at a baking-hot Jungle four years ago.

"I was only 19," he said.

"It was the first time I'd faced Leeds and first time we'd beaten them in a while.

"We wore a special centenary kit and I managed to score a try.

"I wouldn't mind another game like that tonight but we'll see what happens."

Centre Chris Bridge starred in Warrington's 36-22 win over Harlequins.

He grabbed two tries and kicked 12 points.