Wilkin closes on surprise return

Wilkin is back running again as he recovers from a knee injury

Injury-hit St Helens have been boosted by the news that Jon Wilkin could return to action sooner than expected.

The second-row forward, 24, damaged his left knee in the defeat by Hull KR on 10 February and was told he would be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

But the Great Britain international could be back as early as next weekend.

"The knee is coming on really well," he told BBC Sport. "I'm not targeting a specific game but I've had the brace taken off and am running again."

St Helens have been hit with the loss of several key forwards in the opening weeks of the new Super League season.

Jason Cayless (knee), Maurie Fa'asavalu (broken thumb) and Nick Fozzard (knee) are all sidelined, leaving them short of experienced front-rowers.

But they still managed to beat Bradford at the weekend to lie fourth in the table with two wins from their opening three games.

We saw at the weekend when we beat Bradford that we've got players who can come in and do a job Jon Wilkin

Wilkin says it is bad news to lose so many players early on in a campaign but is confident they will not suffer.

"We've got a lot of competition for places and a lot of strength in depth at the club, so I'm sure we can cope," he said.

"We saw at the weekend when we beat Bradford that we've got players who can come in and do a job."

Teenage prop Gareth Frodsham found himself elevated to first-team duties against the Bulls and is likely to be called on again for Sunday's visit of Wakefield.

"It's a chance for the youngsters to shine," added Wilkin.

"In the past coach Daniel Anderson has been able to choose when to blood them, but now it's a case of having to. In my view, they are ready."