St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has confirmed a major injury blow for his side ahead of their clash with Warrington Wolves.
Paul Wellens spoke to the media ahead of Thursday night’s game with his presser coming after confirmation of the club’s 21-man squad for that game.
Just one change was made with Joe Batchelor (hamstring) dropping out and young outside back Owen Dagnall coming in and Wellens has now provided an update on the severity of Batchelor’s hamstring injury, with the news coming as a major blow.
Wellens explained: “People saw the game last week and obviously Joe Batchelor left the field with a hamstring injury. We’ve had that scanned and that’s looking like it’s going to be nearer to an eight-week injury.
“Obviously, that’s a blow for Joe first and foremost, but obviously a blow for us as a team as well so yeah, he’s the notable omission from the 21 from last week.”
The St Helens boss also confirmed that Dagnall has recovered from his own quad injury to ensure that he’s back in the squad, making him a chance to feature.
St Helens outside backs options considered with Joe Batchelor loss assessed
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Paul Wellens has named his 21-man Saints squad for this Thursday’s @SuperLeague match against @WarringtonRLFC!
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St Helens have had plenty of problems in their outside backs of late with Kyle Feldt requiring surgery on his hand and both Harry Robertson and Mark Percival missing time, with Robertson currently out for around four to six weeks with a quad injury.
Confirming Dagnall is an option, Wellens said: “Potentially, we’ve got some options there. Dayon went out there and did a bit on the wing and in the centres in the good Friday derby last week and I thought he handled that really well.
“Obviously, Jon Bennison’s been doing a great job out there. We’ve been playing Matt Whitley in the centres. He’s played left centre, right centre, left back row and right back low in recent weeks and really put his hand up for the team. We’re going to have to shuffle things around a little bit, but that’s obviously the nature of the game.”
Turning to the loss of Batchelor, who has limped off in the 24-14 loss to Wigan Warriors, Wellens explained just how big the loss was.
He explained: “His work ethic is second to none for those within our group and he’s the type of player that you probably don’t appreciate what he does until you go away and you watch the game back. His fingerprints are on a lot of the effort of his within our game. There are big shoes to fill for whoever takes up that position.”
One of the other reasons why Bell’s loss is so big is the fact that Whitley has been forced to play in the centres and fellow second-row options, James Bell and Jake Wingfield, have injuries of their own with Wellens providing an update on both of them.
When will Konrad Hurrell and Saints’ other long-term injuries be back?
Credit: SWpix
On that injured duo, the Saints boss said: “James Bell had a fractured foot in the game against Wakefield a couple of weeks ago so he’s in a boot and probably will be about six weeks.
“Jake Wingfield had a concussion against Warrington in the Challenge Cup and he’s been to see a neurosurgeon and been cleared to start training fully next week so he’s a chance to playing at Magic Weekend.”
If Owen Dagnall or Dayon Sambou take up a position in the centres then Matt Whitley could move to second-row, however, another option in the centres could present itself in the coming weeks as Wellens confirmed that Konrad Hurrell is “close” to making a return.
“He’s close, he’s probably another week to two weeks away,” Wellens revealed.
“He had a bit of a tightened calf last week which we didn’t want to take any risk with. He’s come a long way in the last few weeks so we’re prepared to be a little bit more patient. He is nearing a return.”
Hurrell has not played for St Helens since early February with his last game for Halifax coming on March 9th, with Wellens confirming that another dual reg move could come in order to help the Tongan international gain match fitness.
On those decisions, Wellens said: “All options are available and obviously, whether he plays on dual regs is also down to what Kyle Eastmond wants to do as well. We’ll have those discussions. I think Konrad first and foremost just needs to get back on the training field, get himself running properly and build his fitness base back up then obviously we can make a decision off the back of that.
