Justin Holbrook on Ben Barba injury

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook admitted the club aren’t sure what Ben Barba’s injury is just yet.

Barba scored a hat-trick to help St Helens run in 11 tries and seal an impressive 60-10 win over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday night.

However, Saints were dealt a hammer blow late on when the Steve Prescott Man of Steel favourite was stretchered off the field, having been down on the ground for some time.

But Holbrook says the club are unsure of what his injury is at the moment.

Speaking after the game, he said: “I’m not 100% sure what it is, but hopefully it is just a precaution, with the doctors playing on the safe side.

“It just looked like he fell funny and at first, I thought it was a collar bone but it wasn’t that and apparently the doctor was pressing on his neck and it was giving him a burning feeling.

“I hope it is just one of them burners but it’s easy for me to say that. I’m hoping it’s not too bad.”

Barba has scored 15 tries and 15 assists in 12 appearances for Saints this season.

And Holbrook is delighted with Barba’s start to the campaign.

He added: “He is really enjoying playing for us and he is a leader in the team.

“It is not just the things he does on the ball as well. He has been great from the start of the season.

“He played a couple of games unfit last year, but he came back a couple of weeks earlier than anyone else for pre-season and you get the rewards when you do them kind of things and he has. He has been fantastic for us so far.”