“I’d be gobsmacked” – St Helens boss gives injury update and thoughts on possible ban

St Helens boss Paul Wellens has argued that he would be “gobsmacked” if prop forward Matty Lees cops a ban following his yellow card in the club’s defeat to Warrington Wolves.

Saints lost 16-2 in a game that was dominated by the narrative of sin bins and particularly the awarding of sin bins after a lengthy delay and a player staying down.

The more controversial of those saw Matty Lees sent to the bin for a late hit that could have been more accurately described as a light bump to the back of Josh Drinkwater.

Jon Wilkin tore into the Australian half and claimed that he should “hang his head in shame” after what he believed was a case of ‘play-acting’ or ‘milking’ a penalty.

After the defeat, St Helens head coach Paul Wellens spoke to BBC Merseyside and was asked how he felt about the card and if he was worried about the prospect of Lees being banned for next week’s crucial game against Castleford Tigers.

Wellens explained: “Having watched it, sat here now I’m not overly worried because I think it’s a penalty at best.

“If you have to accept a yellow card then yeah but I think if blokes end up missing games for that then I’d be gobsmacked.”

Mixed bag for St Helens on the injury front

The Saints boss also gave an injury update with two concerns arising from the game and a setback in training, however, that was offset by Jack Welsby coming through fit and the talk of two stars returning to training.

Those that limped off in defeat were young full-back Harry Robertson and prop Alex Walmsley and per St Helens Star, both men had copped knee issues in the game.

“Harry has a bit of an issue with his knee, which is why he had to leave the field,” Wellens revealed to the outlet before giving a Walmsley update.

“Other than that Alex Walmsley came off with a bit of a knee issue that we will need to get checked out.”

Robertson’s injury meant that Jack Welsby took up his normal role in at full-back but that was not the plan with the St Helens number one destined to play in the halves.

Wellens revealed: “After discussing with the medical staff, the intention was for him to play half a game and bring him on at six at half time.

“We felt we needed to make that change a little earlier. The plan was always limited minutes though.”

He also provided an update about Daryl Clark and Lewis Dodd, who have both been absent for an extended period.

“We’ll see how the likes of Daryl Clark and Lewis Dodd are through the course of the week and come up with a team to play in what is a very important game for us.”

It wasn’t all good news though as Wellens revealed that second-rower Curtis Sironen is done for the remaining two fixtures.

The St Helens boss explained: “He has had a bit of a setback so Curtis won’t play in the regular rounds this year. He may have a chance of making the first weekend of the play-offs should we make it there.”