SAINTS have been dealt a big blow with international prop forward Alex Walmsley ruled out for four to five weeks with a hamstring strain.

Walmsley limped off in the second half of Saints’ bitterly disappointing Challenge Cup exit at home to Warrington.

And coach Paul Wellens confirmed that Walmsley will be missing for a spell, beginning with Friday’s home game against Hull FC.

Wellens said: “Alex is probably looking at four, possibly five weeks out with a slight hamstring strain.

“That is an unfortunate one – he is a big miss for us is Alex, but we dealt with his absence for a long period last year and that is our challenge again.”

Saints will also be without another middle forward in Jake Wingfield for two weeks.

The young packman, who missed Sunday’s cup game, is undergoing strengthening work on the shoulder he had surgery on last year, but will be back in contention once that is done.

On the plus side, prop Matty Lees returns to the fray as does a fit-again Mark Percival, who has been sidelined since getting a head knock on Good Friday.

Wellens said: “Mark is champing at the bit to get out there again and feeling no ill-effects from the knock he took a few weeks ago.

“That is a great sign – he has had the all-clear from our specialist and we followed the protocol and we are very comfortable with him playing this week.”

It means there will definitely be some changes to the line up from Sunday, with Wellens contemplating more.

“In Matty and Mark we have got a couple of guys who will come in and freshen things up,” he said.

“I am still pondering a few decisions on how we approach the week as I do agree that we do need a bit of fresh energy about the group.”

“I hope I have got a group of players who are stinging off the back of that performance who really want to get out there and put things right again.

“I have just got to get the balance right, but all options are available.”