Saints give Meli leave (From St Helens Star)

Saints give Meli leave

1:12pm Thursday 28th January 2010

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SAINTS are hoping to have wingman Francis Meli back in the fold for their Super League opener against Hull a week on Saturday.

The powerful Kiwi international was given permission to return to New Zealand on compassionate leave to tend to a family matter.

Although Meli has become something of a bogeyman on the terraces at Knowsley Road – primarily for his high profile howlers against Wigan and in the Grand Final – he was nonetheless a formidable performer for Saints last season.

Although much of that work went under the radar, Meli’s line clearing charges were a godsend last term, particularly when the pack was depleted due to injury.

A mix-up with his visa at the start of last season saw Meli miss the opening six Super League games of the season.

Should Meli not be back in time for the Hull game on February 6, Saints have a number of youngsters who can slot in on the flanks with Jonny Lomax and the versatile Gary Wheeler both looking razor-sharp in the pre-season friendlies.

Tom Armstrong, who deputised for Meli at the start of 2009, damaged his shoulder in the friendly against Widnes a week last Tuesday and is out of action.

Although wing is not a natural position for Lomax and Wheeler, both are capable finishers and would add some much needed zip to the three-quarter line.

The wing issue aside, coach Mick Potter has said that he fully expects Wheeler and Lomax to be knocking on the first team door this season.

Speaking after Saints wrapped up their pre-season programme with a second victory over strong Championship opposition in four days, Potter said: “I am happy with most of our young guys and the senior guys have carried on from where they left off. Of the youngsters, both Gary Wheeler and Jonny Lomax are on the cusp of breaking into the team.

“This has been a useful run out and looking back it has benefited us playing later in the season.”

New signing Sia Soliola backed up with his second game in four days – and once again the Kiwi centre crossed the whitewash.

“He broke some tackles, scored a try and set up another one so I thought he went well.

“I also though halfbacks Leon Pryce and Kyle Eastmond went well together. They mixed up what they did and looked comfortable,” Potter said.

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