THE loss of Luke McAlister could, ironically, help boost Sale Sharks' hopes of holding on to captain fantastic Juan Lobbe.

Though McAlister's decision to return home to New Zealand - a move influenced by family factors more than cash - has come as a big blow to director of rugby Kingsley Jones, it has freed up a significant chunk of his player budget for next season.

And Jones says that may be a crucial factor as he battles to persuade Lobbe, who has been a revelation this season, to stay on at Edgeley Park and not exercise a get-out clause in his contract.

As well as significant interest from France, not least Toulon who will be coached by former Sale boss Philippe Saint-Andre next season, it's thought another English club are also keen on prising the 27-year-old Argentine World Cup star away from Manchester.

"Having to operate within £4m player budget is very difficult but now we know that Luke is to return to New Zealand, his departure will help our cause in other areas, particularly in regards to Juan," Jones revealed.

"Hopefully, it will also help us retain the likes of Sean Cox and David Tait, who are also very important to our long-term plans.

"And it also means I can now crack on in terms of player recruitment and I am actively pursuing a number of targets."

Meanwhile, of more immediate concern to second-placed Sale is tomorrow's Guinness Premiership trip to a strife- riven Saracens side who this week revealed they were axing 15 of their first-team squad from next season following a review by the club's South African owners. Twelve of those players have since gone public with their concerns after consulting lawyers from the Players Union and have announced they will play tomorrow but only under protest.

Sale had already targeted tomorrow's trip as arguably the most winnable of their four remaining road-trips and will be hoping the Vicarage Road civil war will further aid them in their quest for what could be a pivotal game as the race to secure a play-off spot intensifies. You don't know what the reaction will be from Saracens. Some of those players going might put their hand up to try and win a new contract elsewhere," Jones added.

"All we can do is to be prepared to play a tough Saracens team who are always tough to beat on their home patch. Sale have only won once in 12 years down there so we'll need to be at our best. If we can put some good phases of play together for 40 or 50 minutes we can cause them damage."

Winger David Doherty returns to the side after a month out with a back injury while French prop Lionel Faure starts after being overlooked by France for last night's Six Nations clash with Wales.

SALE SHARKS: Macleod, Bell, Keil, Thomas, Doherty, Hodgson, Wigglesworth, Faure, Briggs, Roberts, Schofield, Cockbain, C Jones, Abraham, Fernandez Lobbe. Replacements: M. Jones, Turner, Cox, D Tait, Leck, Ripol, Kuadey

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