Wilkin out with freak injury

A freak accident with a yard brush will keep St Helens' England loose forward Jon Wilkin on the sidelines.

Wilkin, who was set to return to action after recovering from a calf injury sustained during an England training session, suffered nerve damage in his hand while gardening at his home this week.

"He was sweeping up and the broom snapped and ripped through his hand," said Saints coach Royce Simmons. "He did not damage any tendon but he did damage a lot of nerves so he will have to play with it heavily strapped when he returns. He's gone for another three to four weeks."

There is still no place for Bath-bound half-back Kyle Eastmond in Simmons' 19-man squad for Friday's home game against Hull KR.

Eastmond is available for selection after the club lifted a suspension for serious misconduct but he will play for the Under-20s, with Simmons sticking with new half-back pair Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell.

Paul Clough (shoulder) and Leon Pryce (groin) remain on the injury list and have been joined by threequarter Francis Meli, who will be out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Hull KR will still be without captain Mick Vella, who has failed to recover in time from a knee injury.