St Helens Optimistic About Dodd’s Return for Hull KR Clash

St Helens are confident that scrum-half Lewis Dodd will be available for next week’s Super League showdown against Hull KR after being omitted from their squad for Thursday’s match against Huddersfield Giants.

Dodd sat out last week’s victory over Hull FC due to an injury, despite being named in the 21-man lineup. This week, he has been left out of the squad entirely for the Thursday night clash with the Giants, with Saints’ head coach Paul Wellens admitting that the half-back has been battling through injuries for several weeks.

“He’s been playing with an injury,” Wellens explained. “It’s something that’s been troubling him for a while, fluctuating between better and worse. We’ve reached the point where I had to have a conversation with him, as we can’t keep going with him being healthy one week and injured the next.”

The coach revealed that Dodd has a groin or adductor problem that flared up earlier in the season, as well as a rib injury, both of which have plagued the influential half-back. Wellens emphasized the need to protect Dodd’s wellbeing, stating, “If we keep playing him at 50%, 75% or 80%, it’s not going to be beneficial for us and, most importantly, for Lewis himself.”

The commanding victory over Hull FC last week was a strong response to the Saints’ Challenge Cup exit at the hands of Warrington, which left many supporters disappointed. Wellens acknowledged the need for “honest conversations” with several players about their performances, but remains confident that his side is still on track for success.

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