SAINTS welcome back Will Hopoate for Friday night’s trip to Hull KR, with coach Kristian Woolf giving an early indication on who could make it to the 21 this week.

There will be enforced changes, with Australian second row Curtis Sironen suspended for one match for his swinging arm from the Wakefield game.

That bench spot could be handed to Kyle Amor, James Bell or Jake Wingfield.

Woolf said: “We copped a couple of bumps and bruises over the last game, but at this stage it looks like they are going to come through really well and we will name a similar 17.

“Unfortunately, Curtis Sironen is going to sit out a week – that will be our major change and we will be looking to fill his spot on the bench.

St Helens Star:

“There are a couple of lead runners there to take Curtis’ spot. Kyle Amor played close to every game for us last year, scoring the last try, and has played in Grand Finals so we know what he brings to the team.

“Kyle’s experience and his ability to play big minutes and offer a role around the ruck, defensively and in attack, means he is putting his hand up.

“Then Jake Wingfield is coming along really well. He had a run for Leigh a couple of weeks ago and went really well and Leigh were happy with him.

St Helens Star:

“James Bell is there, as well. He had a bit of an injury last week that he picked up playing reserves but he is back training this week and we will look to name him in the 21 and he is champing at the bit to get his opportunity.

“We know what a good player he is and how he’ll take an opportunity if he gets one.

“It is a great position to be in in terms of competitiveness and once blokes get the opportunity it is their chance to say they need to be there longer.”

It is good news on Hopoate, who was injured in the opening round suffering a cracked rib cartilage and has missed the last fortnight.

“Will Hopoate will be available and he trained really well and comfortably today and we will figure out where he comes in,” Woolf said.

“He has sat out the last couple of weeks to make sure he is fit. It is not a major injury and is one that players play with all the time.

“With it being so early in the season we gave it a couple of weeks to settle completely so that he is not relying on injections or just getting through each week to see how he is.”