Connect with us

St Helens

Harry Robertson return creates ‘welcome headache’ as St Helens boss confirms triple injury boost

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has admitted that the return of Harry Robertson creates a ‘welcome headache’ in terms of selection, and it could get tougher as he offered a positive injury update on three more players.

Heading into their Round 11 clash with Catalans Dragons, the pressure was high at the Totally Wicked Stadium but Saints didn’t crack. In fact, they put in a season-best performance against a Catalans’ side in disarray.

Wellens’ side have since backed that up with another clinical win over Huddersfield Giants but now comes the true litmus test, an away game at Craven Park against Super League leaders Hull KR.

St Helens have been handed a major boost ahead of that game with young back Harry Robertson returning to the 21-man squad, as well as Matt Whitley who had been out with a HIA.

It now means the Red Vee are approaching full strength and Paul Wellens has admitted that does create certain selection headaches, though he did label them as “welcome”.

Where does Harry Robertson fit in St Helens’ back line?

“There are some big decisions to be made, obviously,” Wellens admitted with St Helens arguably the fittest they have been all year.

He added: “There are a few guys coming back into the 21 and we’re probably a lot healthier than we have been in recent weeks.

“I think I said this last week that there are some difficult decisions to be made, but obviously it’s a welcome headache in some respects also.”

Robertson’s return is the eye-catching one given his electric start to the season that saw him topping the Super League try-scoring charts after just three games.

Wellens confirmed that the youngster is ready to go, something which could cause a reshuffle among the backs who have started to settle during these past two games.

On Robertson, he said: “He’s trained fully with squad and he looks sharp, as he did before he got injured so he certainly comes into the reckoning.

“That’s the difficult part of the job sometimes,” Wellens said regarding selection with Mark Percival having switched to the right to accommodate Deon Cross in recent weeks.

“The guys that have been playing in the last few weeks have done a really good job and I think they certainly deserve rewarding.

“I also have to factor in the fact that Harry was one of our standout players before getting injured, so it does make life difficult. Tough decisions like that are decisions that are welcome, that’s for certain.”

Saints set for triple boost with Bell, Batchelor and Feldt return date named

The headache of potentially fitting Lewis Murphy, Mark Percival, Deon Cross, Harry Robertson and Tristan Sailor, who has recently found himself on the wing, will be very tough and it could get even tougher soon with Wellens confirming that Kyle Feldt is one of three who will be back for Round 14.

Asked about the declining numbers in the treatment room, Wellens said:”There’s still a few in there. Joe Batchelor’s yet to return, James Bell, Kyle Feldt, so there’s a number of others keeping the physios busy but they’re a lot less busy than they probably have been in recent weeks.

“All three could potentially return for our next game. Obviously, we have a week off for the Challenge Cup Final but the week after that, all three guys could potentially play.”

St Helens play Salford in Round 14, who they hammered 82-0 in the season opener, and the prospect of Feldt, Bell and Batchelor returning will only add to the Red Devils’ woes.

As for this week against Hull KR, Jake Wingfield is in contention despite concerns that he wouldn’t be ready.

Wellens confirmed: “He’s moved a lot better. He’s a lot more comfortable than he has been in the last week or so. He’s made great progress and again, he’s named in the 21, and I think everybody in the 21 is in with a chance.”

Related Topics
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in St Helens