St Helens boosted by return of Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace

St Helens will have both first-choice wingers Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace back for Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull at Leigh Sports Village.

England international Makinson who scored two tries and five goals in Saints’ 26-18 opening-round win over holders Leeds, has been dogged by a foot injury for the last six weeks while Welsh flier Grace sat out last Friday’s Super League win over Hull with concussion.

Coach Kristian Woolf played centre Kevin Naiqama and utility back Jack Welsby on the wing in their absence but says both are now ready to return and is confident that centre Mark Percival and prop Agnatius Paasi will also both be fit after leaving the field midway through the second half against Hull with hamstring injuries.

Woolf said: “Tom and Regan are both 100% available so we’re looking to bring them back in somewhere.

“At this stage, both Agnatius and Mark Percival are certainly tracking well and I’d say at this stage they’ll get through. There’s a bit to do but the signs are positive.”

Teenager Welsby, who scored Saints’ last-second try to win the Grand Final in November, has played in all 10 league and cup matches so far and Woolf has confirmed he will maintain his ever-present record.

Woolf added: “He’s too good a player not to have in our 17 every week. Wherever we put Jack he finds a way to make it work and play really well. We’ll figure something out.”