St Helens signing Shane Wright has spoken about his move from crisis club Salford Red Devils and offered a key injury update with the second-row forward closing in on a playing return.
Wright signed with St Helens on loan until the end of the season with that move agreed in late August as the Red Vee deregistered centre Konrad Hurrell to make space on their overseas quota for the Australian forward.
Prior to signing with Saints, Wright had played ten games for the Red Devils with the last of those coming against St Helens in June.
Speaking to club media, Wright confirmed that he actually picked up an injury in that match meaning he’s not played since but the 29-year-old will make his return soon, and could even feature this week against Leigh Leopards as Paul Wellens last week claimed Wright was “not far off”.
St Helens’ 21-man squad will be confirmed at midday on Wednesday with Paul Wellens also set to speak to the media to offer a team news update.
Serious About Rugby League launch YouTube channel ahead of Super League play-offs
Shane Wright offers injury update with St Helens debut on horizon
Wright had given his own update to SaintsTV though, explaining that he was near the back end of his rehab and is in line for a debut soon.
He revealed: “Funnily enough, the last time I played St Helens for Salford earlier on in the year, I had a bit of a pec injury.
“I had to go through surgery for that but I’ve done a pretty good rehab process with my old physio, Josh, at Salford.
“I’m at the back end of that (rehab) so I just need to tick a few boxes and then I should be right to go.”
Speaking on the move, he said: “I’m really excited. Obviously, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind year for me, but to be given the opportunity to come to a club like St Helens is phenomenal.
“I’m very lucky but also ready to rip in and get involved.”
Wright became another in a long list of Salford Red Devils players to exit with St Helens having already signed Deon Cross from Salford earlier in the year.
Whether Wright plays this week or not, it’s expected that he will be fit and firing for the play-offs with St Helens still a chance of making the top four. To do that, they’ll need to defeat Leigh on Friday night and then hope the Leopards slip up in Round 27.
If they don’t manage that then they will finish fifth with an away trip to either Leigh or Leeds awaiting them in the first round of the Super League play-offs.
You can hear more analysis on St Helens in the new Serious About Rugby League Show, with the full episode available to watch on our YouTube channel.
