Sione Mata’utia given clearance to make return for St Helens following horror head knock

St Helens back-rower Sione Mata’utia has been given the all clear by specialists following his horror head knock and could make his return to the field this weekend. 

The 26-year-old back-rower has not featured since the 14-6 defeat to Wigan on Good Friday, and has endured a lengthier than normal spell on the sidelines having also failed his head injury assessment against Huddersfield. 

Mata’utia was carried off on a stretcher after bouncing off a tackle against Matt Peet’s Warriors at the DW Stadium.

However, he has returned to Paul Wellens’ 21-man squad for the first time since for the side’s trip to The Shay to face Halifax Panthers in the Challenge Cup sixth round.

“There’s some great news on Sione, he has had clearance from the specialist,” Wellens said.

“What we’re going to do is name Sione in the 21-man squad this week, but he does need to complete some contact progressions and just check everything is OK from that perspective.

“If he does come through all those OK, then we’d love to play him on the weekend.”

Wellens ‘delighted’ to have Sione Mata’utia back

Ahead of the derby with Wigan, the Australian back-rower made three appearances in Super League, having underwent the 11-day head injury protocol following the 14-12 victory over Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium in March.

Wellens has praised the club’s medical staff, with the reigning champions travelling to The Shay this Friday in the Challenge Cup, live on Viaplay.

“I can say how delighted I am, but I know the rest of the players will be to have Sione back in the team should he play this weekend,” Wellens continued.

“But if it’s not this weekend, he is very close. It’s positive signs with Sione.

“People saw the type of blow that he took and it took some recovering from.

“The medical staff have been absolutely outstanding in terms of making sure he gets the right amount of time necessary to be able to heal from that situation properly because it was a blow you don’t want to take any risks with.

“Sione in himself is a lot more bubbly, a lot more like himself than he has been in the week or so and that’s great to see around the group as well.”

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