SAINTS are facing an anxious wait to see if Tony Puletua will be available for the Super League play offs after it was revealed the forward has a damaged shoulder.

The Samoan was withdrawn from Saints’ squad that defeated Huddersfield on Friday night after ongoing soreness in a shoulder got worse.

Scans have revealed damage to the rotator cuff (muscles and tendons around the shoulder) but the player,who will see a specialist on Monday, is hopeful a month of rehabilitation will get him fit for the play offs.

Simmons, who has already lost forwards Josh Perry and Shaun Magennis for the rest of the season, said: “He (Puletua’s) got a rotator cuff problem.

"We had the scan today there’s damage there. It could be at best a month’s rehab or at worst an operation – which would mean he’s gone for the year.

“But Tony is positive about doing the rehab thing, maybe sit out a month and hopefully be back for the play offs.

“The scan was done today and there’s damage to the rotator cuff but until we see the specialist on Monday we don’t know how much damage.

“He’s been a bit sore in games and it has gradually got worse. He woke up later in this week and the strength had just gone in the arm.”