St Helens prop confirms possible return date after revealing cruel injury

St Helens forward Matty Lees has revealed the cruel timing of his recent injury, confirming he incurred an MCL injury in the last minute of England’s second Test against Samoa.

Lees, who featured in both games against the Pacific Island nation, has confirmed to SaintsTV that he picked up an injury in “probably the last minute of the last game of my season”, something that has caused him to have an off-season of rehab.

Speaking in a video recorded prior to Christmas, Lees outlined the severity of the injury, the rehab and the fixture in the calendar that he is aiming to bounce back for.

Talking to SaintsTV about the St Helens pre-season, Lees noted: “There are quite a few new faces this time around. (There are some) new coaching staff (and) Lewis Murphy, Tristan (Sailor) and Kyle Feldt but it’s good to be back in.

“There are some familiar faces as well and I can’t wait to get amongst it and rip into Round One.”

On his injury blow, the 26-year-old explained: “I just picked up an MCL injury in probably the last minute of the last game of my season but it’s nothing serious – just a couple of injections and (I’m) back up and running around Christmas time.

“The physio staff have been great with me. They’ve still given me a bit of time off but I’ve been in and out over my off-season, but I’d rather be on the front foot with it and be ready for Round One.”

The Round One fixture for St Helens pits them against Salford on February 15th, 11 days after Lees’ 27th birthday, but he’s hoping to return even earlier than that.

“I’m hopefully going to be heading for that testimonial game for Morgs,” Lees said, with Morgan Knowles’ testimonial game coming on January 25th – also against Salford Red Devils.

A return in that fixture would see Lees take to the field just 12 weeks after his injury.

He added: “That’s where I am aiming for first and we’ll see where we end up. I’m in over Christmas to try and get on the front foot with getting fit for the new year.”