St Helens hit with three fresh injury concerns in Salford victory

Paul Wellens admits he was relieved to see his St Helens side get over the line against Salford Red Devils on a night they lost three players to injury. The Saints, who were already without the likes of Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Jake Wingfield, Konrad Hurrell and Sione Mata’utia through either injury or suspension, needed golden point to see off Salford Red Devils 17-16.

However, it seems the win came at a price with Agnatius Paasi, Lewis Dodd and Daryl Clark appearing to pick up knocks. Paasi left the field in the first half for a HIA and didn’t return to the action and Clark met the same fate just before golden point as he left the field for a head assessment.

Dodd, who was Saints’ last real playmaker on the pitch, left the action in the second half with an injury to his left arm. The trio will be assessed ahead of Magic Weekend next week, with Wellens yet to provide updates on their fitness.

The Saints head coach was just happy to see his side pick up their second win a row on Thursday after digging deep to eventually see off the challenge of Paul Rowley’s side.

“It was a really attritional game,” the St Helens boss told Sky Sports. “Neither team was backing down from that. It was really entertaining for the neutrals but not so much when you’re sat in the coaching box. We’re relieved to get out on the right side of the result.”

He added: “We want to finish as high as possible. I’ve spoken to the players and I don’t want to put too much pressure on them.

“This has been a very different year to what we’ve been used to and we’ve been faced with adversity and challenges that have really tested us. Today was all about character but it will remain the same from now until the end of the year. We just have to keep turning up every week and find our best effort.”