St Helens Suffer Significant Injury Blows Ahead of Super League Season

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has confirmed that three key players, including Morgan Knowles, have undergone surgery and will be sidelined for extended periods, dealing a major blow to the Super League champions.

Knowles, a crucial part of the Saints’ pack, has been playing through a groin issue for several weeks, but the club has decided to send him for surgery, ruling him out for around six weeks. Wellens acknowledged that they could no longer risk Knowles’ fitness, given his determination to represent the team despite the persistent problem.

Further Injury Concerns

Further compounding Wellens’ injury concerns, young forward Jake Wingfield is expected to miss the next four months after undergoing shoulder surgery, while recent signing Matt Whitley is also set for a three-month layoff following a similar procedure last week.

“All those injured players are a big miss, and that’s the challenge of a Super League season. Coping when you have a fair bit of adversity,” he said.

Positive News

However, there is some positive news, as Agnatius Paasi is expected to be named in the 21-man squad to face Leeds Rhinos on Friday. The prop forward has recovered well from his own injury and could make his return to the field.

The key focus for Wellens and St Helens will be effectively managing their resources and depth during this critical period, as they look to defend their Super League title in the face of these significant injury setbacks.

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