Off-contract St Helens forward likely to miss rest of season as coach provides update on his future
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has confirmed that young forward Jake Wingfield is likely to miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign due to shoulder surgery.
The 21-year-old has made eight Super League appearances in 2023, with his last appearance coming during the dramatic golden point win over Leeds at Headingley Stadium at the end of May.
Boss Wellens has confirmed that Wingfield has undergone surgery and is expected to be sidelined for the next 16 weeks.
“It’s disappointing,” Wellens said on Wednesday.
“Jake has been struggling with a shoulder for some time now. He’s been really brave and done all he can to get himself on the field.
“He met with a shoulder specialist who informed him that really now, the only option for it to improve is a surgical one.
“As we sit here now, Jake has probably just come out of surgery. I’ve not had any discussions to see how he is since his operation, but it’s probably going to be a 16 week period where he’ll be out of action for.
“It’s hugely disappointing for him first and foremost, but also for us as a team to lose a player of Jake’s quality.
“We’ll do all we can as a club to support him best we can to get him to full fitness and so he can fulfil his huge potential.”
St Helens coach provides future update on Jake Wingfield
The youngster signed a new two-year contract extension with the club in 2021, having made his debut the season before against Salford.
His current deal expires at the end of the current campaign, but Wellens admits he’s keen to retain the youngster and reward his fine start to the 2023 season with an extension.
Wingfield featured in the 2022 Super League Grand Final win over Leeds at Old Trafford, as well as the World Club Challenge triumph over Penrith Panthers in Australia.
Wellens continued: “We’re confident that Jake will make a full recovery and it’s a 16-week injury. We back and support our medical staff here that’ll do all they can to get him back fit and playing well.
“Talks have been ongoing with Jake prior to us even knowing that he was going to need surgery about our interest and our intent on keeping him around beyond this year.
“I think he shares those same thoughts, so hopefully we can come to a really simple resolution there.
“He’s an important member of the team and hopefully he can continue to be that for a number of years.”
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