St Helens forward gives fitness update and outlines 2025 aims

St Helens’ Jake Wingfield has provided a fitness update after missing much of the 2024 campaign with the 23-year-old outlining his 2025 goals.

Wingfield would play just nine games for Saints in 2024 after only making 10 appearances the year prior with injuries disrupting both campaigns.

The 23-year-old last played in Round 11, back in May, when he suffered a dislocated shoulder which then required surgery causing him to miss the remainder of the season.

Having gone well in pre-season so far, he has spoken on the nature of that injury as well as the frustration that came with yet another year of being sidelined.

Speaking to SaintsTV, he explained: “For me personally it’s good to get back into the swing of things, training with the group. It was a tough end to the season last year and obviously, mine ended prematurely around May time.”

On a more positive note, he confirmed that he is now fully fit: “I’ve had a lot of time training by myself but back to full fitness now and buzzing to be back in with the squad.”

St Helens forward outlines 2025 aims after injury-hit campaign

Wingfield’s looked to have edged his way into Paul Wellens’ plans early on in 2024 with the forward appearing in each of the first seven rounds of Super League before a ‘niggle’ led to a month out.

On his first game back from that he would suffer his season-ending injury, something that he’s now revealed came down to a major decision revolving surgery and his willingness to help out the team.

He explained: “I dislocated my shoulder in that Cas game but around four or five weeks before I had a niggle in that shoulder and the surgeon gave me one or two options. He said, ‘You either play until it dislocates or you can get it done now’.

“I thought I’d try and play on because we were down on numbers and I feel like I was doing well at this time. It was unlucky for me that it just didn’t happen that way but I’m back to full fitness now so I’m buzzing.”

Having elected to forego surgery initially in a bid to return and help the team out, Wingfield then faced a lengthy spell on the sidelines himself and he confirmed it was initially far tougher than previous injuries.

“I’ve been through a lot of injuries before and I’ve always dealt with them quite well but that one probably hit me hardest,” he explained.

“It took me a couple of weeks to get over that but I got back on the horse to come back fitter and stronger and now I’ve done that.

Wingfield, whose younger brother has joined the first team set up for 2025, only has 43 Super League appearances under his belt despite being set to enter his sixth season in the competition and that’s seen him confirm his aims for the upcoming campaign.

“I’m only 23 so rugby career wise I’m still quite young but I feel that I’ve been around the first team a long time now so that’s my aim now – to try and progress as much as I can.

“I want to try and catch up to the likes of Morgs (Morgan Knowles) and Leesy (Matty Lees) who are three or four years ahead of me.”