LEWIS Dodd is ready to step into the void created by Theo Fages' season ending broken shoulder.

And coach Kristian Woolf has backed the 19-year-old Widnesian to grab his chance with both hands when he steps into the team at scrum half on Monday night at Hull.

And coach Kristian Woolf backs the Academy product so highly, that he has declared that the club will not be buying another half back above him if and when Fages departs at the end of the season.

Woolf said: "Lewis is a guy who we see as a big part of our future going forward and can be a part of the club for a very long time.

"We say that because he has a lot of potential – and a lot of strings to his bow in terms of how he plays.

"He has a terrific running game, kicking game, really good vision and he is an outstanding kid in terms of how he wants to learn and take on information.

"He fits right into the group – and I know he is going to make the most of his opportunities."

He will come into a spine oozing experience with Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax and James Roby being there to guide and help him to back himself.

And Woolf said the youngster is not short of that confidence needed to bark the orders and take teams around the field.

"I like the fact that he has confidence in his own ability and backs himself. We are certainly going to back him and think he is up to the task and everyone will be impressed with what he comes up with.

"At the same time we can’t put too much pressure on him – he is a young bloke who is going to find his way and make that position his own.

"But again, he is up to it."

Again Woolf mentioned that Fages will make a statement on his intentions in his own time with what he is doing.

But then added: "With what we do – we are not going to be signing other halves to come into the group if things don’t work out with Theo.

"We have have every confidence that Lewis Dodd can make that position his own.

"He is a Saints junior who has been an elite player all the way through the grades.

"We see him as a really big part of the future of the club, a player who can be a part of leading the club the next 10-12 years – however long he wants to.

"That is the opportunity he gets to start that journey and we won’t be signing anyone above him that might affect his development."