KEIRON Cunningham has been outlining his plans for the full back position and the visit of Widnes Vikings this Sunday.
Saints lost another ‘number 1’ last Thursday at Castleford but winger Adam Swift came through the game with no ill-effects after being stretchered off.
“Adam is ok,” Keiron said. “These days it is all about player welfare so we had to go through the various precautions with him.
“There was a chance he could have had a serious neck injury so we had to tick all the boxes. He has trained so should be ok.
“We will look at everything we can for the full back spot. We’re in a good spot as we are quite healthy at the moment and we have a strong team.
“We will have a look and see if there is anything out there we could bring in sharpish but if we can’t find someone then we will run with what we have got.
“Shannon McDonnell has snapped his Achilles, had it repaired and we will see him next season.
“It seems to be our luck at full back at the moment but we are used to it as a squad now. You feel for the player who has the injury but thankfully it doesn’t have an impact on the squad as they are used to seeing it happen and move on. It gives someone else a chance to have a shot there.
“Shannon has been fantastic since he came here and justified the decision to go and get him. He did what he did and was in great form. We have been working hard with him and genuinely feel for him.
“It’s unfortunate for the kid but he has a lot of friends in this place and will be back.
“Science has got so good that players come back from these type of injuries pretty quickly. It’s just a matter of time now.
“We are pretty fit at the moment; Luke Walsh and Joe Greenwood are back and although we know we are light at outside back we have some good juniors to slot in there.
“We will have a look at our options at full back, see what is best and shoot with them. We are comfortable.”
Saints take on Widnes in the Quarter Finals of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup on Sunday – and Keiron wants them to right the wrongs of the Castleford loss.
“We were going ok and been in good form but hit a dull period on Thursday night. I was expecting that after the highs of recent weeks. It is difficult to maintain that for long periods and there was always going to be a little ebb. Thursday was that, we weren’t at our best but we nearly got something from the game.
“That shows the character of the players and I’m sure this week will be different. There are no bigger critics than the players and they know what is expected. We want to put some wrongs right and will be ready on the weekend.
“Every time we play Widnes it is a tough game that could go either way. Last time here we had a couple of breakaways that won us the game. We have beaten them twice but that will count for nothing.
“Normally if Kevin Brown plays well then they play well. They fight for everything but it’s the Cup and it should be tough. We’re looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Quarter Final are on sale from the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or going to www.saintssuperstore.com
Prices are:
- Hatton’s Solicitors West Stand: Adults £15, Concessions £12, Juniors £5 with Junior Season Ticket Holders free.
- Totally Wicked North and Solarking South Stands: Adults £18, Concessions £14, Juniors £5 with Junior Season Ticket Holders free.
