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Rugby League

Saints full-back Wellens out until May with quad injury

15/04/2008

St Helens full-back Paul Wellens has been told he faces up to three weeks on the sidelines after picking up a quad injury in training.

The 28-year-old has been in good form despite Saints' below-par start to the season, and has been handed a new role as captain of the team in the absence of some of the team's other senior stars.

A number of injuries have already affected the club's start to the season, as they have stumbled to five defeats in their opening 11 games of the Super League campaign.

However, several of the injured players are now beginning to return to fitness - and the team also seem to be finding their feet after a ten-try performance in a 58-12 victory over Harlequins on Friday evening.

Hooker Keiron Cunningham, who is one of the side's usual skippers, is due to make his long-awaited comeback after six weeks out with a similar quad injury to Wellens.

Matt Gidley is likely to deputise at full-back in the absence of head coach Daniel Anderson's first choice.

And Anderson is keen to see Cunningham back on the field after such a protracted recovery period.

"Keiron has been chomping at the bit for a few weeks now," said Anderson.

"It gives us a good opportunity to rest [hooker] James Roby, especially with a five-day turnaround."

Wellens' injury means he will miss Sunday's Challenge Cup fourth round tie against London Skolars, as well as the Super League derby against Warrington Wolves the following Friday.

However, he hopes to be fit for the Millennium Magic weekend in early May when Saints face Wigan Warriors in one of the headline matches in Cardiff.