St Helens vs Castleford team news with injuries and suspensions causing havoc

St Helens host Castleford Tigers tonight in a game that is a must-win for Paul Wellens’ side.

Saints currently sit inside the play-off spots on only points difference, level on points with Leeds Rhinos and just two points clear of Catalans Dragons, who face Super League’s bottom two clubs in their final fixtures.

However, Castleford are resigned to finishing tenth, and will be playing for pride – both the players themselves, and that of the club.

St Helens team news

After a successful appeal, Matty Lees is available for tonight’s game, despite originally being given a one-match penalty notice by the Match Review Panel.

Tommy Makinson is also available as his three-match ban was downgraded to two after another Saints appeal.

From injury, there are much-needed returns for Mark Percival, Lewis Dodd, Daryl Clark and James Bell, but Harry Robertson drops out due to a knee injury and Moses Mbye is out banned.

Alex Walmsley, after a knee injury, is also named in the 21-man squad, so may have 0vercome those issues.

Castleford Tigers team news

The big news for Castleford is the absence of full-back Tex Hoy, meaning Fletcher Rooney will likely start at full-back.

Meanwhile, Corey Hall is still out, meaning Luke Hooley will likely line up in the centres again, while Sam Wood and Josh Simm remain out with long-term injuries.

There’s still no Sylvester Namo, who is serving the second game of his two-game ban.

However, Craig Lingard – as promised – has named another two young prospects, with 18-year-old Akim Matvejev lined up to potentially become the first Estonian to feature in Super League.

He has been chosen in the match-day seventeen, revealed by Lingard, so will almost certainly feature unless he has a fresh injury concern.

Also named is Alfie Horwell, who can play at hooker or stand-off.