St Helens dealt heavy injury blow to Tommy Makinson

St Helens have confirmed that England winger Tommy Makinson will be out of action for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury. 

The 30-year-old left the field in their 20-18 defeat to Catalans Dragons last Saturday. Scans have now revealed that he will be sidelined for three to five weeks.

On Tommy Makinson, Saints coach Kristian Woolf said: “Tommy has had a scan and he is going to be out for in the vicinity of three to five weeks. We are obviously hoping for the shorter and it may end up somewhere in between.

“It is frustrating because we have had a number of injuries in similar positions. From rounds six to seven we had a cluster of forwards who were out for a spell.

“The cluster at the moment is within the outside backs. It is frustrating as it does mean we are a little bit disjointed each week, but I am confident in the squad we have and the players coming in.”

St Helens could be boosted by the return of three players for Saturday’s clash with Wigan at Magic Weekend. Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook could feature for the Saints.

St Helens prop Matty Lees free to face Wigan after successful appeal

Lees has been cleared to play against Wigan at Magic Weekend after the club successfully appealed his one-match ban.

The 24-year-old has received the suspension with a Grade A High Tackle charge in the club’s defeat to Catalans.

St Helens challenged the ruling and the Operational Rules Tribunal have since found Matty Lees not guilty meaning no charge stands.

He will therefore be free to feature at Newcastle’s St James’ Park this weekend against the Warriors. The clash will be the second game at this weekend’s event, kicking off at 4:45pm.

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