‘We’re hoping it’s a quick fix’ Saints boss with latest on Hurrell and Paasi

St Helens boss Paul Wellens says they’ll be without centre Konrad Hurrell for Friday’s Challenge Cup sixth round tie with Halifax due to injury.

The Tongan international was a notable absentee ahead of their Super League clash with Salford on Saturday, with Wellens revealing post-match it was due to a slight disc bulge in his neck.

Hurrell, 31, has since seen a specialist with Wellens confirming: “He’s got some symptoms there with nerve pain and things like that. That needs to settle. 

“We can take some active measures in helping that to settle, but it’s just basically waiting on the symptoms really.

“It could be a situation where he plays next weekend, or in two or three weeks. We just don’t know at the moment. He’s unavailable this weekend because those symptoms are still there. We’re hoping it’s a quick fix, but it’s kind of one of those keeping your fingers crossed with Konrad.

“We’re hoping it just settles itself.” 

Konrad Hurrell out, Agnatius Paasi in?

Meanwhile, the St Helens coach is hopeful of having international prop forward Agnatius Paasi back in contention.

The 31-year-old has not featured since Good Friday due to a knee injury.

Morgan Knowles could also make his return against Championship side Halifax this Friday in the Challenge Cup after completing his five-match suspension.

The England international was handed a five-match ban for a hip-drop tackle against the Warriors at the DW Stadium.

“Morgan Knowles’ suspension is complete, so he comes back,” Wellens continued. 

“Providing Agnatius Paasi gets through training without any issues, he’ll come back in to the side as well which is obviously a huge bonus for us.

“Agnatius has been fantastic since he’s joined the club and gives us something different. Those two guys in particular, having those back is great for us.”

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