St Helens’ centre Mark Percival is looking unlikely to feature in the club’s Super League opener this Friday but that’s because of an injury, as opposed to the reported contract dispute between the club and the 31-year-old.
It was reported by Love Rugby League last week that Percival was ‘looking to leave the club following a contract dispute’. That report expanded on the matter by stating that the off-contract centre, who has played 266 games for St Helens, was believed to have been discussing a two-year deal, that has since been removed, thus angering the centre and prompting a possible exit.
Paul Rowley was asked about the speculation during his pre-match presser ahead of St Helens’ Super League season opener against St Helens, with Rowley playing it with a straight bat.
He said simply: “I got asked this question at the Workington game and I answered it then, so we’re looking forward to Mark being available for selection, it’s as simple as that.”
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St Helens’ Mark Percival nearing injury return
Percival was not in the squad for Friday’s game away to Workington, however, that was as a result of an injury that could well rule him out of this Friday’s clash with Warrington.
St Helens will name their 21-man squad at midday on Wednesday but Rowley admitted that Percival is among a number of players nursing injuries.
“We’ve had a few who are near fitness and not quite made it last week so we’ll see how the week progresses,” Rowley said with Noah Stephens and Curtis Sironen among the others to miss out last week.
“Not all the boys were fit last week so they’re all kind of building into fitness this week so it’ll be too soon for some and they might just make it for others.
“There’s a few days left in the week so we’ll see how the week pans out and then you’ll see what rocks up on match day and whatever it looks like it’ll be a strong team.”
Specifically on Percival, Rowley confirmed: “He’s not far off but he’s in that group of players that have just been carrying slight knocks or getting to the end of a rehabilitation from pre-season operations, so he’s not far off.
“I’m not sure about this week, that may come too soon.”
If Percival does not play then young star Harry Robertson and off-season recruit Nene Macdonald would be the likely starting centres with Kyle Feldt and Deon Cross playing outside of the pair.
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