BC

Geroy Simon was in plenty of pain Wednesday at the BC Lions' practice.

However, the discomfort was more emotional than physical as the slotback stood and watched his teammates work without him for the second straight day. After testing out a wonky hamstring on his own, he declared himself fit to play in Saturday's rematch with the Montreal Alouettes at BC Place.

"It felt good," said Simon. "I felt quick, I felt fast, I didn't feel any pain, I didn't feel any tightness. So I feel really good, ready to go."

Simon's absence raised questions because he said a day earlier he would practise. He was sidelined in the second quarter of last weekend's 30-25 loss in Montreal.

The 13-year veteran is anxious to show what he could have done if he had been healthy.

The West Division-leading Lions (6-3) are seeking to increase the precarious two-point lead they currently hold over the second-place Calgary Stampeders. The East Division-leading Als (6-3) have a similar advantage over the Toronto Argonauts.

"For me to come out here and just have to watch practice, it hurts," said Simon. "Me not being able to play, it makes it even worse. I felt that I could have helped the team, and I could have been a deciding factor. But, unfortunately, I wasn't there."

The Lions lost after quarterback Travis Lulay was unable to complete an attempted touchdown pass to Arland Bruce on BC's last play of the game.

Simon, the CFL's all-time leading receiver, has not missed a game since he was sidelined for two contests in 2008, also with a hamstring injury. But, he said, the problem then was much worse than it is now.

Simon, who has missed only three games altogether since 2002, said the decision on his status Saturday was up to general manager Wally Buono, coach Mike Benevides and trainer Bill Reichelt. Benevides said he will defer to Simon, but wait right up to the deadline, an hour before game time, before he unveils his lineup.

Notes: The Lions and Als will meet in an afternoon game on the West Coast for the first time since the Western and Easter teams commenced interlocking play in 1961. ... Montreal has one just once (2010) in the past 11 meetings between the teams in Vancouver. ... B.C. offensive lineman Jesse Newman, who has returned to practise after missing all of the season with a knee injury suffered in training camp, is still not ready to play, said Benevides. Offensive guard Adam Baboulas of Oshawa, Ont., will replace rookie Matt Norman, who has returned to the University of Western Ontario to study teaching.