After offering an update on Noah Stephens with the prop’s injured recovery potentially ‘measured in years’, St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has confirmed a second season-ending injury.
The grim update regarding Stephens confirmed that nerve damage will rule him out for the year but at worse case, possibly years with Paul Rowley wishing well the 21-year-old who has multiple hurdles to reach before he can even begin rehab.
In that same presser, Rowley also confirmed that outside back Deon Cross is now done for the year with his ruptured bicep operated on.
Speaking to Serious About Rugby League, Rowley said: “Again, (I think that there’s) a statement coming after from the club, but Deon, as you know, has got a ruptured bicep, so he’s had surgery on that now. That’ll be a 12-week return, so season done.”
Whilst that’s a major blow, there was positive news in that off-season signing Jacob Host, who broke his leg in March, could be back in the coming weeks.
“He’s in full training now with the boys, so metres are being managed, but we won’t be too far off with Jacob,” Rowley told Serious About Rugby League.
“I think he may be looking at a return for Magic Weekend, but again, after such a long-term injury, there’s a lot of water under the bridge to get to that point, and as I’ve said many times this year already, putting people back in in certain games, there’s a risk attached to that as well in terms of being match fit.
“It’s all nice on paper, players returning, but a cluster of them is still difficult to manage, because game fitness after such long lay-offs has obviously got to be taken into account.”
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St Helens’ Jonny Lomax not necessarily done for the season as Paul Rowley shares update
That would be a major boost for St Helens who have had horrible luck with injuries in 2026, something that Rowley admitted has made it difficult from the get-go this season.
He said: “It’s been like that since minute one, to be honest. .. It’s been a very, very unprecedented injury situation, but long-term as well, so it’s significant players (too).”
The latest significant player to have an injury blow was former captain Jonny Lomax, who fractured his jaw in the loss to Warrington Wolves with Saints since confirming that he had had surgery.
On Lomax and his recovery, Rowley said: “I’m hoping to see Jonny over the next couple of days, so he’s operated on and home.
“After the game, it was not pretty at all. He’s had very ugly injuries, sustained two fractures and a lot of blood coming from his mouth, etc but emotionally, it would have been tough for him as well.
“He’s had a second big injury in a year, a point in his career where he’s getting to the end side, so to speak, so every game’s special and precious for him.
“He gets pragmatic and puts his head around it, and I’m looking forward to having some good chats with him, because as I said at the time, he’s a champion bloke and champion player.”
Asked if that meant the season was over for Lomax, Rowley added: “Never assume. I think normal human beings, you could safely say that that would be season done, but he’s not normal, so I’m not putting one penny of my money on Jonny not returning this year.”
