SL Preview: St Helens v Wakefield

Tommy Makinson returns to the St Helens squad for Friday’s home game against Wakefield.

If he plays, it will be for his third different club in as many weeks, after turning out for Rochdale and Whitehaven on dual-registration in the last fortnight.

Paul Wellens is still missing through injury, but Nathan Brown is hopeful he will return next week.

Wakefield, who angered coach Richard Agar with their performance in the draw against Salford, are without key playmaker Tim Smith, and starting forwards Justin Poore, Andy Raleigh, Ali Lauitiiti and Danny Kirmond.

Bobbie Goulding, son of the former St Helens legend, is back in the Wildcats squad.

St Helens 19-man squad: Gardner, Turner, Soliola, Meli, Hohaia, Lomax, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Wilkin, Manu, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Clough, Jones, Makinson, Joe Greenwood, Walmsley, Walker.

Wakefield 19-man squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Smith, Cockayne, Sykes, Aiton, Washbrook, Wood, Amor, Wilkes, Mariano, Trout, Mellars, Lyne, Wildie, Cowling, Goulding, Annakin.

Prediction: Saints will kick on from last week’s landmark win at Warrington – home win.

Stats:

St Helens have won their last three home meetings with Wakefield, with the Wildcats’ last away win against the Saints coming 22-20 at Knowsley Road on 17 July, 2009.

Super League summary:

St Helens won 24
Wakefield won 7
St Helens highest score: 64-16 (H, 2005) (Widest margin: 60-4, H, 2005)
Wakefield highest score: 41-22 (H, 2004) (also widest margin)