SAINTS wing Tommy Makinson will be out of action for between two and four weeks after leaving the field early on Friday with a foot injury.

The former Golden Boot does not require surgery, but needs a spell of rest and physio to fully recover.

Although the wingman’s finishing and set-returns will be missed, coach Krisitian Woolf felt that was a positive outcome given what it could have been.

He said: “It is not quite the same injury as what he has just come back from, but it is in a similar area. That is going to be an absence in the vicinity of two to four weeks I suppose. 

“Overall the news is pretty positive considering what we thought he might have been and what it has ended up being.”

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There is positive news on Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who went off with a head knock, and is expected to be fully fit.

And loose forward Morgan Knowles, too, is expected to return for Monday’s Salford clash - the first in front of supporters for more than a year.

“Louie is fine. He was not able to go back on against Huddersfield because he stumbled when he played the ball – and under the rules that is an indication of concussion so was not allowed back on the field.

“He passed all of his tests and recovered really well. We have a long turnaround until the next game, so that works in his favour and he’ll be 100 per cent fine,” Woolf said.

International loose forward Knowles is expected to make his first appearance of the year after recovering from thumb surgery.

“It is great to have one coming back because we have had a few going out,” Woolf said.

“I have no concerns over Morgan’s fitness and physicality and how he will play his first game.

“He is a special player in that sense in that there are not too many who work as hard and play with that level of intensity and toughness.

“Although he has not been able to do all pre-season, it is his thumb that has had surgery on, so he has been able to do all the running.”

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James Bentley, who broke his leg and damaged his ankle in the game against Leigh two weeks ago, has had his surgery.

And the early report back from that is positive news, despite him facing a lengthy lay-off.

Woolf said: “The surgery has gone really well and there was a little bit more positive news than there could have been.

“It is still going to be a lengthy recovery – somewhere in the vicinity of 14 weeks. Knowing James he is going to be really diligent and he will come back in just as good condition and ready to hit the ground running because he is that kind of guy.

“But it is a lengthy one, he is not going to play a lot for us this year. But he will make it back for the back end of the season and he will be available for finals.

“There are some real positives from that point of view.”