Brown open on Wellens selection

St Helens coach Nathan Brown welcomes back Paul Wellens for Friday’s match with Salford, but isn’t sure as yet where he will play.

In his absence, Jonny Lomax has fitted in to the full-back role excellently, with Jon Wilkin and Lance Hohaia forging an effective partnership in the halves which has seen Saints win their last two games.

Brown told the club’s official website: “Wello will return and he’ll be playing somewhere for sure. A lot depends on the fitness of the squad as to where that will be. Wellens’ number one thought is the team; he has always played here and wants to do the best for it.

“With Jonny Lomax doing so well he is happy to play his part and it is credit to him that he is not so single minded.

“That makes my job easier too. The fact that even though he achieved what he has in the game and a position can become sacred, he has put the team first and is happy to play wherever as long as the team is doing well.”

Wellens’ return provides a boost for St Helens, who this week lost hooker James Roby to an ankle injury which could rule him out of action for as long as 10 weeks.