St Helens will be missing another forward for the long-term, with the results of Jacob Host’s injury revealing some disappointing news.
Host will be out until around July, after a broken leg in the win over Bradford Bulls saw him require surgery.
Saints assistant boss Eamon O’Carroll spoke to the press today, Tuesday, to confirm the news, as the Red Vee’s injury crisis continues to deepen.
O’Carroll, who represented Wigan, Hull FC and Widnes as a player, revealed: “[Host] has gone in for surgery today.
“We think that has gone really well. He’s going to be out for about four months so that’s a real shame for him.
“I don’t think we’ve see the best of ‘Hosty’, but him and his family have settled into the club really well, so it’s a real shame for him, and he’s going to be a big loss.”
Host adds to the number of starting forwards that Saints have on the sidelines. Alex Walmsley and Matty Lees are both out a prolonged period, whilst Joe Shorrocks is suspended for the next two matches for a dangerous tackle.
George Delaney also had to come off in the Bulls win, and needed to have a head injury assessment, which he failed meaning he will also be missing this week.
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St Helens provide update on Nene MacDonald
As well as Host, another overseas star who had to leave the field against the Bulls was Nene MacDonald.
The PNG international has been struggling with a knee issue in recent weeks, and after playing 60 minutes away at Catalans, the ex-Leeds and Salford man could only last around 25 minutes at the weekend before being substituted.
O’Carroll confirmed that MacDonald had gone for a scan, with the club receiving results later today.
“We’re getting some investigation into Nene’s knee,” O’Carroll confirmed. “It’s being grumbling on for a bit, and obviously he had to come off during the game, so he’s had some imaging done today.”
The Challenge Cup week could have been seen as a week to give the 31-year-old a break, regardless of the scan results. However, despite his struggles, Saints are still willing to continue to feature him, as long as he feels fit enough.
“We don’t really have that attitude [of resting players]. We want to field what we think is our best team every single week and if Nene is available, and he’s fit, he’s ready to go, and more importantly he’s feeling up to it then with the calibre that Nene is then you’d like to think he’s there or thereabouts.”
