WASPS opponents tomorrow, Border Raiders, are confident that Sonny Nickle's stay at Craven Park will be a long one - barring a few rounds of machine-gun fire at his old club, St Helens.

Cynics have suggested that his switch to Cumbria is merely a sly ploy to see out the nine-match ban received for the tackle that broke Robbie Mears' jaw while playing for Saints against Leeds.

The powerhouse prop signed for Barrow with five games of that suspension still to serve, ruling him out of tomorrow's clash, and it has been insinuated that he only left Knowsley Road to complete that ban before returning for the start of the Super League season in March.

But Raiders have insisted the 32-year-old has signed a 12-month contract and coach Cameron Bell believes he will stick it out.

"I think he will stay for the full season," he told the Evening Press.

"If you look at it, I think he will be in the 'emergency' category at Saints, not the 'really wanted' list.

"With Sonny passing the age of 30, Ian Millward (Saints coach) has to bring in younger players for the future of the club and that's why I think he won't go back.

"Unless their squad is mowed down by machine gun I think he will stay here for the full season."

Updated: 13:24 Saturday, December 08, 2001