LEWIS Dodd was back in action last weekend...but only on the bowling green as he competed in the Johnny Vegas Celebrity Bowls event at Ruskin Drive.

The nippy scrum half is on course for a return to full training in pre-season and be ready for the start of the 2023 Super League campaign. 

The 20-year-old Widnesian has been out of action since rupturing an Achilles in the Good Friday derby.

Surgery went well, his rehab is progressing smoothly and there was a murmur of excitement among the supporters when they saw him training last week at the open session at TWS

St Helens Star:

Coach Kristian Woolf said: "He is coming along really well and his injury has healed well and he’s done everything right and been really diligent in working on everything he can work on.

"He’s in a really good position and right on track to have a full pre-season – or very close to a full pre-season and then put himself in a great position to start the year in Round One and hit the ground running a bit as well.

"It is important with that kind of injury that nothing is rushed – and that will not be the case, but at the same time it has to be challenged and he’ll work hard on it and that is what he’s doing at the minute."

Dodd is player who shot to prominence because of his zip, dummy and dart and his confidence to chip and collect and play what he sees.

Woolf was confident that a combination of Dodd's diligence and the work of the medical staff will see the number seven hit the ground running.

"It has become a lot more common an injury in recent years across the NRL and Super League – and there’s a number who have come back and played really well within a short period of time from their playing return.

"With Lewis’ diligence, how hard he has worked on it and the medical staff in place at Saints – particularly Nathan Mill, I have no doubt he will be in a great position to start the year next season.

"And I have no doubt that you will see the Lewis Dodd from this year that has a real impact on the competition," Woolf said.