ST HELENS’ injury crisis has deepened with news last night that full-back Paul Wellens faces up to four weeks out with a broken hand.
Wellens was injured in Saints’ 22-20 engage Super League defeat by Wakefield at the GPW Recruitment Stadium last Friday.
It was a tough night for the 29-year-old, who as stand-in goalkicker, missed six attempts at goal including a dramatic last-minute penalty that would have tied the contest.
He joins a lengthy casualty list which includes senior players such as Sean Long (broken jaw), James Roby (broken hand), Jason Cayless (knee) and Maurie Fa’asavalu (broken arm).
Youngsters Gary Wheeler (calf) and Jonny Lomax (ankle) are also sidelined but Kyle Eastmond and Chris Flannery are expected to return at Harlequins on Saturday after recovering from mumps.
Coach Mick Potter said: “Wellens has got a broken hand, but it is not as bad as James’.
“There is no displacement. The doc said four weeks but I would like to think he would be playing before then. It’s the nature of the game, it gives someone else an opportunity.”
Wellens now faces a race against time to prove his fitness for Saints’ Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield on August 9.
Lomax also faces four to six weeks out after scans revealed the extent of his injury.
“There is some ligament and muscle damage in his ankle,” Potter said.
Potter has also voiced his displeasure at the Rugby Football League’s decision to caution hooker Keiron Cunningham for striking James Stosic in the Wakefield game.
Stosic suffered a broken eye socket after the incident in the 68th minute but Potter felt it was accidental.
Potter said: “I saw there was nothing in it. He was just trying to get some space to play the ball.”
WARRINGTON full-back Richie Mathers has been handed a one-game ban for a high tackle on Huddersfield’s Luke Robinson.
The former Wigan player was also fined £300 for the offence, which occurred in the Wolves’ engage Super League defeat at the Galpharm Stadium on Sunday.
Mathers, who was found guilty of the offence at a Rugby Football League disciplinary hearing lats night, will now miss Sunday’s home clash with Salford.
But his absence could be offset by the return of up to five injured players.
Influential prop Adrian Morley is close to coming back from a knee injury while Paul Rauhihi has recovered from a back problem. Simon Grix (mouth) and Vinnie Anderson, who suffered knocks against St Helens earlier this month, should also be in contention along with Chris Hicks (leg).
Coach Tony Smith said:
“It has been a case of last man standing at times but we are not looking for any sympathy – it happens at every club at some stage throughout the season.”
Warrington were this week linked with a move for Hull’s former Wigan second row Danny Tickle, something already denied by the player’s present club.
When asked if there was any truth in the claims, Smith said: “No.”
