St Helens Remain in Title Hunt Despite Injury Woes
St Helens remain firmly in contention for the League Leaders’ Shield, tied on points with arch-rivals Wigan Warriors at the top of the Super League table. However, the Saints have suffered a series of major injuries to key players, which threatens to derail their title charge.
In a crucial clash at the top of the table, St Helens host play-off hopefuls Leeds Rhinos, fresh off a 60-4 demolition of Castleford Tigers in their previous Super League match. Despite an early red card for Tommy Makinson, the Saints ran in 52 unanswered points in the second half to blow the Tigers out of the water.
Nonetheless, Saints’ head coach Paul Wellens delivered some bad news for the Red Vee faithful in his pre-Leeds press conference. He confirmed that three key players – Morgan Knowles, Matt Whitley, and Jake Wingfield – face prolonged spells on the sidelines due to serious injuries.
Wingfield faces the longest absence, with a 16-week lay-off due to another shoulder repair. Whitley has undergone groin surgery and will miss around three months, while Knowles has had surgery to repair a groin injury and is expected to be out for five to six weeks.
Wellens acknowledged the significance of these injuries, stating that the Saints will miss the quality of these players. However, he believes managing Knowles’ injury correctly is crucial to ensure the loose forward is fit and ready for the back end of the season.
Despite the setbacks, St Helens remain in the hunt for the League Leaders’ Shield, level on points with Wigan Warriors at the top of the Super League table. Their clash with Leeds Rhinos promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for the coveted trophy.
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