St Helens interim coach Eamon O’Carroll has revealed that forgotten loanee Jed Cartwright could feature in the club’s final game of the season this week.
Cartwright arrived at the Saints on loan in July, but only managed three games, with injuries again hampering his time in Super League.
The back rower suffered a quad injury in the round 20 defeat to Wigan Warriors, and hasn’t been seen since.
However, with just one game to go before the Red Vee’s campaign ends, he has a chance to return in what could be his final game in the UK top flight.
“Potentially,” O’Carroll said when asked about a Cartwright comeback. “We’ve got one more training session to go through, so I’ll put him in the squad this week.
“There’s a couple in that bracket, but we’ve got to get through that sort of final session. That just seems to be the way it’s gone this year.
“We’re hanging on for the rest of the week just to get to that final session to confirm the team. But yeah, I hope he features.”
O’Carroll, who himself is departing at the end of the year, said that he is unsure what the future holds for the 29-year-old, given he is “not part of the conversations” regarding retention.
The back rower is still contracted at Hull FC to the end of the season, but the Black and Whites have confirmed that he will not be getting a new deal there.
St Helens boss offers Alex Walmsley latest after specialist visit
O’Carroll confirmed that someone who won’t make this week’s selection is veteran Alex Walmsley, who needed to go see a concussion specialist after a number of HIA failures over the course of the season.
Walmsley last featured in the 34-6 defeat to Leeds Rhinos, and will now have to wait until 2027 to return to the field.
“He’s under the protocol, so won’t feature,” said the Saints interim boss.
Daniel Suluka-Fifita returns from suspension however, someone who O’Carroll has been impressed with since his mid-season arrival.
“[He] will be a huge boost,” said the coach. “It was a tough week for him last week. He was really disappointed.
“I think it’s been fantastic for us, Daniel. We’ve not seen the best version of him yet, I think, with a good pre-season at the club, fully settling in with his family, he’ll take that next step next year.”
Dissecting Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors, St Helens miss the six and Wakefield make statement – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
