SAINTS prop Agnatius Paasi is progressing well in training and can now see light at the end of the tunnel after a long and arduous recovery.

The heavyweight Tongan international has been sidelined since last July when he sustained torn ankle ligaments, and an MCL and ACL from a tackle in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Leigh Leopards.

Although Paasi has not got a definite date for a return, coach Paul Wellens says that a reserves game in May and June is in mind, depending on his continued progress.

Wellens said: “He is doing really well and started his running a couple of weeks ago.

“At yesterday's training session he was moving a lot quicker than he was a couple of weeks ago.

“There's a positivity around him in terms of his mindset now because he can see that there's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

“He's now out on the training field in and around the players obviously I think from a mood perspective that has just made him feel a hell of a lot better."

Saints have gone with a lighter, more mobile middle unit in Paasi's absence with Alex Walmsley the only really big man alongside the industrious middles Matty Lees, Morgan Knowles, James Bell, George Delaney, Jake Wingfield and Sione Mata'utia.

Paasi's eventual return will be welcomed all round - but Wellens was unable to give a definite date at this stage. 

“He's working really hard at the moment and you know the signs are positive.

“There's a reserves game around. May, June, which we may target, but we're not too sure yet, we'll see how he progresses,” Wellens said.