SAINTS expect scrum half Lewis Dodd to be fit and ready for the start of 2023 – but new coach Paul Wellens explained that there will be no unnecessary risks.

Dodd has been out of action since rupturing an Achilles against Wigan last Good Friday.

It is a long way back from surgery from such an injury, but the 20-year-old Widnesian has ticked every box on his recovery so far and is getting ready to join in some training with the rest of the squad.

In giving a progress report, Wellens said: “Lewis has just started running on the field and is due to start doing some small skill-based work with the squad.

“He has started to move very well and has got that spring back in his step that we were accustomed to seeing when he has been playing.”

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In his absence last year Jonny Lomax, who was himself debilitated by a ruptured bicep, rolled back the years to revert to the scrum half role.

Although that often mix and match combination delivered the goods with a Grand Final success, Saints will be pleased to get Dodd back on the park.

Wellens added: “Jonny did a great job filling in that number 7 role, particularly in the back end of the year when he was influential in the big games that counted.

“But Lewis is a player who likes to play the 7 role, likes to take the last plays and has gained a great understanding of organisation and getting the team around the field.

“He is a really good at bringing Jonny and Jack into the game.

“We missed him when he didn’t play and it’ll be great to have him back but he will be playing after a significant injury and we will be careful with how we integrate him back into the squad, training and then into the games.

“He has hit every target on his recovery process so far and if that continues he has a fair chance of playing at the start of the year.

"We have benefited a fair bit from last year in that we have dealt with a lot of disruption but to get key players back is always great.”