Gary Wheeler sidelined for four months after rupturing hamstring tendon (From St Helens Star)

Gary Wheeler sidelined for four months after rupturing hamstring tendon

10:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in Latest News By Mike Critchley

SAINTS half back Gary Wheeler will be out for four months after he ruptured a hamstring tendon in Friday’s defeat by Leeds.

It is a bitter blow for the former Blackbrook junior who sustained the injury making a tackle on the hour mark of the match.

It continues four seasons of miserable luck on the injury front for the 23-year-old, who despite his skillset and dazzling feet has never been able to get a run of games.

Saints boss Nathan Brown said: “It is bad news on Gary Wheeler. We have had a bad run at the start of the year as a club.

“We thought the worst was Josh Perry with a five-to-six week injury, but you know you are going to get them back after a short period.

“But when you start talking about four months – they are no good for the players because they are in rehab for a long time and they miss bulks of the season.

“It is unfortunate for Gary and his family – because he has had a bit of a run of this over a number of years.

“The key for him is giving it his best shot and making sure he crosses all the ts and dots all the is in rehab and makes sure that he has the best chance of when he comes back, he stays back.”

Saints physio Joey Hayes confirmed that Wheeler had ruptured tendon on his hamstring – identical to the injury Josh Perry suffered in 2011 – and is seeing the same specialist.

Brown added: “He had a pretty good five or six weeks for us – did well for Rochdale and then for us at Bradford, but unfortunately what has happened has happened.”