St Helens boss Paul Rowley has revealed that star full-back Jack Welsby is “flying” through his injury rehab, as he awaits to return from a lengthy lay-off.
Welsby suffered a shoulder problem that required surgery in the opening round of the season, where Saints were defeated 24-14 at the hands of Warrington Wolves.
That injury would form part of the early stages of a Red Vee injury crisis, with the club doing it extremely tough on the injury front throughout the year.
With the England international sidelined, Tristan Sailor has largely filled in at full-back in his place, and he has done a stellar job at it too, leaving Rowley with decisions to make when Welsby does eventually return.
However, the former Salford boss won’t have that selection issue for a little while yet, with Welsby said to be still a fair way from returning.
Asked for a progress update on Welsby in his weekly press conference, Rowley revealed: “I think he’s just getting to the three-month mark actually.
He’s flying in training. He’s got quite a few weeks left to go yet, but he’s flying and doing really well and working hard.”
Another man who won’t be in the side this week is Deon Cross, who failed a HIA in last week’s win over Hull FC.
Cross will miss out this weekend due to the RFL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down policy, but he is on track to return next week against York.
Wigan Warriors’ worries, Hull FC drama and NRL takeover talk – click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Nene Macdonald’s chances of a St Helens return assessed
One man who is close to a return to the field is Nene MacDonald, who has been named in the club’s 21-man squad this week.
The PNG international last featured for the Saints in their round four win over Bradford Bulls, where he only lasted around 25 minutes before being substituted.
MacDonald was required to have surgery due a number of ongoing knee issues that he had tried to play through, but they just wouldn’t heal.
After missing the last six games, the 31-year-old is now back available for selection, however Rowley revealed earlier this week it is unlikely he would make his return against Wakefield Trinity.
The boss said: “He’ll be there or thereabouts, he’s not far off. We’ve got a cluster of players who aren’t far off, but they’ll all be later decisions I guess, but we wouldn’t expect him to play this week.”
Jonny Lomax, like MacDonald, will be a “late call” as to whether he makes the side or not. Lomax has been named in the last two 21-man squads, but has not yet made his return after dislocating his wrist in round two.
