Wakefield v St Helens: Predicted line-ups and late injury news

Wakefield host Champions St Helens tonight looking to claim back-to-back wins over last year’s Grand Finalists having beaten Wigan last time out. The Saints will take some stopping however. After slipping up against Warrington, they eased to victory against rivals Wigan last Sunday.

Once again the unlucky Tom Johnstone has been hit by a long-term injury so he won’t be available for this clash. However, Liam Kay returns to the fold having missed the win against Wigan due to his place in the Combined Nations Squad. The same goes for centre Reece Lyne who should come in to replace Bill Tupou having missed the last fixture due to international duties with England. There’s a problem to be solved at nine for Trinity following the injuries to Brad Walker and Jordy Crowther. Kyle Wood should start at hooker but who will come off the bench to give him a breather, perhaps Ryan Hampshire?

St Helens have their own problems. The Champions will be without star halfback Theo Fages. Thus, Kristian Woolf could draft in Lewis Dodd from the bench but more likely is the selection of the versatile Jack Welsby at seven. Forwards Matty Lees and Joel Thompson could return. I can see the latter starting but the form of Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor and Agnatius Paasi could mean Matty Lees is not risked in this one. Lachlan Coote will start at fullback despite agreeing a deal to join Hull KR at the end of the season.

Wakefield
1 Max Jowitt
27 Lee Kershaw
4 Reece Lyne
20 Joe Arundel
5 Liam Kay
6 Jacob Miller
7 Mason Lino
10 Tinirau Arona
9 Kyle Wood
12 Kelepi Tanginoa
11 Matty Ashurst
14 Jay Pitts
13 Joe Westerman
Substitutes
8 David Fifita
15 Eddie Battye
16 James Batchelor
29 Ryan Hampshire

St Helens
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Kevin Naiqama
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
18 Jack Welsby
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
11 Joel Thompson
14 Sione Mata’utia
13 Morgan Knowles
Substitutes
16 Kyle Amor
17 Agnatius Paasi
20 Joe Batchelor
21 Lewis Dodd