Wilkin and Soliola doubts for Wakefield (From St Helens Star)

Jon Wilkin and Sia Soliola doubts for Wakefield

10:56am Thursday 9th August 2012 in Latest News

MIKE Rush has revealed that Jon Wilkin is Saints’ biggest doubt for Sunday’s trip to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, kick off 3.30pm.

And Sia Soliola will given as long as possible into the week to prove his fitness against a Wakefield side that have Leeds Rhinos among their scalps in recent weeks.

“Wilko’s probably our biggest doubt,” said Saints boss Rush.

“He carried a little knock into Monday’s game and it’s obviously not going to get any better during a game so we’ll have to see how he pulls up.”

Fellow back rower Soliola withdrew from the Warrington game on Sunday after collecting an injury in training.

“Soliola has a chance of playing,” said Rush.

“He had a little turn of his ankle in training. Sometimes it can settle down in days, sometimes a week or two. We’ll have to wait and see.”

No return appears to be imminent for Ade Gardner, who Rush described as ‘still coming back through recovery’.

Rush considers Wakefield to be tricky opponents but is focusing on Saints.

“They’re always capable of a performance, as they showed against Leeds the other week,” said Rush.

“Tim Smith’s in really good form for them and they’ve got some good go-forward from Danny Kirkmond and Ali Lauitiiti.

“We know what we’re up against but it’s about us this week.

“No disrespect to them, I’m sure they’ll look at us and see internationals across the field.

“But we’ve got to make sure that those internationals we’ve got are focused and mentally ready for a game after having been beaten at home on Monday.

“That’s our challenge maybe this week, to make sure we’re on the money.

“If we are, and we do all the things we can do, I’m confident we’ll get a result over there.”