Alex Walmsley included in Saints 21 for Hull FC clash

Walmsley has not played since injuring his MCL in the Challenge Cup semi final defeat by Leigh.

At the time the club said the injury would be a possible season ender with a 12-week recovery.

However, 10 weeks on from that game, Walmsley must have been showing something special in rehab to force his way into contention.

Last week when asked about Walmsley's progress, coach Paul Wellens replied: "Alex is beginning to get moving on some straight line running and the things you can do without putting him at risk.

"He keeps working hard and it is obviously a less serious injury than the one Agnatius Paasi has suffered but that does not make it any less difficult for a player to try and overcome those injuries.

"Alex is working hard and is in and around the group.

"He is going to be a big help to the squad at the back end of the year because he is such a big presence within the group."

If he is passed fit to play - it will leave Wellens with quite a selection headache as to which forward to leave out with 11 names in the pack and bench all worth of those 10 spots.

The top-drawer performances of James Bell, the development of George Delaney this year, plus the addition of Moses Mbye on the bench have added to the Saints mix this year.

Throw in a return to fitness and improved discipline of the back row means that Saints have a strong pack to chose from even without the injured Agnatius Paasi and recovering Jake Wingfield.

It is a welcome headache to have, nonethless. 

Meanwhile, Will Hopoate and Konrad Hurrell return to the 21 also.  

Saints 21-man squad v Hull FC: 1. Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 12. Joe Batchelor, 13. Morgan Knowles, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 16. Curtis Sironen, 19. James Bell, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 30. George Delaney, 35. Moses Mbye.