St Helens could be set for some injury returns this week, in what would be a welcome boost ahead of their trip to Wigan Warriors.
The Red Vee have an unprecedented injury crisis at the minute, with around 16 first-team players unavailable for last week’s home win against Catalans Dragons.
Thankfully for the club, that number is set to reduce, with players being able to return in time for what will be another brutal meeting between the two.
The pair only faced off three weeks ago, as Wigan took the spoils in a thrilling Magic Weekend clash. From that game, both sides suffered a number of injuries, and some players are still feeling the effects now.
However, Saints assistant coach Lee Briers has confirmed that a number of players will be back in and around the 21-man squad, set to be revealed tomorrow.
Lewis Murphy has missed the last seven games with an elbow injury, after he suffered issues after a dislocation earlier in the season. He is one man said to be in contention, which is a boost given that outside back Nene MacDonald looks set to miss another week.
Boss Paul Rowley revealed that MacDonald needed to have a knee drainage, after the side didn’t allow his operation earlier in the season to fully heal before he returned to action.
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On a more positive note, Shane Wright is another that will be in with a chance of returning after missing the last two.
An update was asked regarding prop pair Alex Walmsley and George Delaney, both of whom are currently undergoing specialist treatment due to HIA protocols. On the possibility of them returning, Briers said: “Possibly one back this week and one not.”
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St Helens coach hints at potential hooker change to face Wigan Warriors
After the season-ending blow to Daryl Clark, Jake Burns and Tom Humphreys are the two natural hookers remaining in the squad. The pair worked well together in the win over Catalans last week, with Humphreys coming off the bench to provide some excellent impact.
However, Briers has hinted that that is not the way Saints will line-up this week, and will perhaps go a different route in regards to their hooker.
After being asked about Humphreys’ impact on the side and how he and Burns now need to step up in the absence of the England international, the assistant coach said: “…If that’s the way we go [using Burns and Humphreys].
“If that’s the way we go, we have to make sure that our plan around them two players is right. I’m not sure we’ll go that way this week. But we’ve got a couple of options up there.”
That suggests that perhaps the more experienced Joe Shorrocks could slot in a nine, with a forward moving to 13 in his position.
Shorrocks has played hooker before, including against Bradford, where he scored a try and after Clark went off at Magic Weekend.
