St Helens starting trio could return for Salford clash

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has revealed they could welcome back three key players for Friday’s Super League clash with Salford.

The Saints rested the bulk of their squad in last week’s trip to Castleford, in which they fell to a 30-10 defeat.

But Woolf has confirmed he will field the strongest possible team they can for Friday’s home match against Salford.

The Saints boss says utility-back Will Hopoate and back-rower Sione Mata’utia will both be back. Welsh speedster Regan Grace also has a chance of playing.

Woolf told Saints TV: “Will will 100% be back, Sione will be 100% be back as well. Regan is a possibility at this stage but not a definite.

“We are going to come up with a plan of our six, seven, one this week that we think is the best. We will throw out the strongest team we possibly can this week.”

Joey Lussick fit to face former club Salford, says St Helens boss

Saints hooker Joey Lussick suffered a back spasm during last week’s defeat at Castleford, but he has pulled through okay.

Woolf continued: “Joey Lussick is going to be 100% fine. He had a back spasm, I would put that down to the fact he played four games in 13 days.

“He hadn’t played big minutes in all of them but he had played two 80-minute games leading up to that. That is a big ask. You certainly get things on the back of that but will be fine this week. He’s had a bit of time off and a bit of treatment to settle that issue.”

However, the champions will be without winger Jon Bennison (fractured cheekbone) and forward Jake Wingfield (shoulder) for a couple of weeks.

St Helens will look to return to winning ways when they take on Salford at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday, 8pm kick-off.

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