Outside of the major injury news around Jack Welsby, St Helens’ head coach Paul Rowley offered two more injury updates, as well as a defence of Friday night’s captain Jackson Hastings.

The former Man of Steel was sin binned for a late hit on Cai Taylor-Wray with Hastings then handed a Grade C charge for that offence, however, Paul Rowley downplayed the incident.

Speaking to media ahead of Friday night’s home game against Leigh Leopards, Rowley was asked about the late shot and Hastings’ apparent frustrations.

For him, it was perhaps made into something more than what it was as he said: “It’s a late push after the pass had gone. We’ve seen quite a few of them this weekend, a lot more severe.”

He also added: “I’m not sure (it was) out of frustration,” with Hastings shot or ‘late push’ as Rowley put it punished with a sin bin and then a five-point disciplinary charge.

St Helens set for Curtis Sironen boost

Fortunately for St Helens, that charge hasn’t resulted in a ban meaning that Hastings will play on Friday night though it’s still unclear who he will play alongside.

Jack Welsby’s dislocated shoulder will rule him out for up to four months and one option to replace Welsby is Hastings’ half partner Tristan Sailor.

Outside of Welsby, Rowley confirmed his side came through with a clean bill of health and they’ve also been boosted by the fact that Curtis Sironen is back in contention to feature this week,

Asked what boost the second-rower’s return would be, Rowley said: “He’s been great. He’s had a disjointed pre-season in terms of niggling injuries, so to have Curtis back, he’s obviously a big presence in stature but in character as well, so yeah, it’s a great boost for us.”

Whilst it was positive news for Sironen, fellow veteran Mark Percival won’t return yet with the off-contract centre still in the rehab process.

On Percival, Rowley confirmed: “He’s not available yet, he’s still rehabbing, so I don’t think he’s far off now, so hopefully he’ll be available in the next couple of weeks, that’d be great.”

Saints’ Friday night opponents Leigh Leopards could also be without their centre Umyla Hanley, with Adrian Lam revealing the back won’t be risked if he’s not at least 80% ready.

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