SAINTS will be without Sione Mata’utia for Friday night’s home game with Hull KR (8pm) after he picked up a foot injury in Sunday’s win at Hull FC.

It will be frustrating for Mata’utia, who scored a try in his first game back after a three-match suspension but limped off with a foot injury later in the game.

The versatile back-rower, who was filling in the centre, will be back ahead of the play-offs.

Coach Kristian Woolf explained: “Sione has a foot injury and he is going to be out for two, possibly three weeks at this stage.

“We are hopeful for the two weeks but we are not going to take any risks with him at the same time.

“It is more than likely he will be back for the last game and he will certainly be fine for the finals.”

St Helens Star:

Mata’utia will more than likely miss this week and the trip to Wigan the following Friday. With the latter of those being a double weekend, with Wakefield on the Monday, it could mean he misses three matches but be fit for the last regular game of the season at home to Toulouse.

Saints will also be without Morgan Knowles, who picked up a one-match ban for a shoulder charge at Hull FC.

He will join fellow packman Curtis Sironen on the sidelines with the Australian serving the second of his two-match ban.

There is some positive news for Saints with the return of Jack Welsby, who missed the trip to Hull after picking up a couple of bangs in the Castleford game.

“Jack will be back and be the main inclusion this week,” Woolf said.