Saints welcome back Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan for Warrington Wolves clash (From St Helens Star)

Saints welcome back Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan for Warrington Wolves clash

9:27am Thursday 7th March 2013 in Sport By Mike Critchley

SAINTS welcome back two injured players for Friday night’s short trip to Warrington – and that will leave a few selection posers for the coach.

Lance Hohaia (shoulder) and Mark Flanagan (concussion) are in the 19-man squad for what is always an eagerly anticipated clash at the Halliwell Jones but it is a week too early for skipper Paul Wellens (calf) who was listed as a possible returnee earlier in the week.

Both will add something to Saints for what will be a tough game to back up the defeat by Leeds.

In Wellens’ absence, Brown has begun reconstructing the attacking spine of the team and is encouraged by the pace Jonny Lomax has been injecting linking up from full back.

It does leave him with an issue as to where he accommodates his skipper when he does return - having made it clear he values what Wellens brings to the table on and off the field.

Brown said: “Jonny has been doing well at full back and Wilko where he has been playing at scrum half, so we have to work out what is best for our team.

“Wello can play other positions as well.

“Me and Wello have spoken numbers of times about numbers of things – he is very comfortable with where we are heading and where he is heading.”

With Gary Wheeler sidelined for four-months and Lee Gaskell failing to grab his early chance to secure the number six spot, the stand off berth will once again be handed to steady New Zealand World Cup winner Hohaia, who is now fit after crunching his AC joint at Widnes three weeks ago.

It will leave the bulk of the kicking duties with Jon Wilkin who will continue to deputise at scrum half.

Brown added: “Lance seems to be suited to that five eighth role. I seem to be learning a little bit more about my players on a weekly basis.

“There was a lot of good come out of the Leeds game given the inexperience of the side. Jonny, Robes and Wilko is a new combination and I lost another half during the game.

“We have had a lot of setbacks in the first six weeks in terms of players in key positions, but once we get some stability there and get some stability there and get the team flowing I am sure it will be good for us.”