St Helens could have Mark Percival play this weekend with the centre in line for his first appearance since round 15 when he went down with a hamstring issue.
The centre has been limited for much of the season, playing just seven games so far, but he could make his eighth appearance on Saturday when St Helens host Castleford Tigers.
Named in the 21-man squad, interim coach Eamon O’Carroll addressed Percival’s chances of featuring when speaking to the media on Thursday.
“We want to give him every opportunity to play. He’s trained today and done parts,” O’Carroll explained.
“We want to be sensible with Percy and make sure that when he’s back, he’s fully fit. He was positive today in training. I think he trained really well.
“We’re going to see how he responds after the session because that’s the big one. One thing is getting through it, but a lot of the injured lads, as I mentioned before, we’re not able to gradually introduce them back into games… We need to see how he pulls up after today’s session.”
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St Helens’ outside backs injury news
One outside back who will not play is Lewis Murphy after he pulled up with a quad injury last week, something that was very cruel in its timing as the winger had put in one of his season-best performances across the first hour of the game.
On the timeline for his return, O’Carroll admitted: “We’re just waiting for the results of his scan. He’s had one scan, but we just wanted a little bit of further investigation. We’re hopeful to have the answer to that within probably the next hour.
“Lewis is in good spirits. I think he really grew in that game and got back to the Lewis that we know.”
O’Carroll even admitted that the winger had perhaps come back too early from his previous elbow injury, noting that he was ‘probably undercooked’ initially before playing himself into form.
He added: “I think he got better and better each game and probably hit some of his best form in that game against Wakefield, so it’s a real shame for him. Hopefully it’s not too serious.”
Deon Cross was named in the squad and O’Carroll confirmed that the back will feature, meaning there is a like for like replacement.
David Klemmer update issued
There was also another update on David Klemmer, who has been out with a rib issue since the Magic Weekend clash against Wigan Warriors.
Offering more clarity, O’Carroll explained: “It is one of his ribs. He’s broke a rib, but just where it’s displaced, it’s in a spot that probably just needs a little bit more time. If he was to take another knock on it, it could be quite dangerous, but he’s had some good news.
“He’s had a scan and it seems to be repairing and going back in place the way that we want it to. Dave hopefully won’t be too far off. He’s started doing a little bit of contact work now, but not too hard there.”
The St Helens coach also admitted that it’s been hard to hold Klemmer back, calling the Australian a ‘good nightmare’ to deal with.
O’Carroll said: “He’s desperate. He’s everything you’d want from an overseas player, is Dave. The way that him and his family have really ingrained himself in the club and in the town, he’s a great example.
“There’s a reason why we take him to every single game. One, he doesn’t want to miss him, but the impact that he’s having around the group, such a young group as well, he probably takes that father figure role. So to have his presence around the place is fantastic, but to have him potentially back in the next couple of weeks will be a huge boost for everyone.”
