JAMES Bentley will be in the Saints 17 for Thursday night’s Super League clash with Castleford Tigers.

Coach Kristian Woolf today confirmed that the second row, who broke his leg in the game at Leigh last April, will play part of the game and build up his minutes in the coming weeks.

The Leeds-bound Irish international has been out of action for 15 weeks – but Woolf is keen to have him back on board for the tilt at the title.

Woolf said: “He is a very hard worker, as you see on the field, and he is the same off in terms of his rehab.

“It has worked out about the time we expected.

“I am really happy for James – he was a big player for us last year and a big part of our success.

“Unfortunately, he has been able to play his full part this year and has missed some really big games in between.

“Having him come back now gives him enough games for the rest of the year to get back to his best once we get to the business end.

“He is champing at the bit, and he will be a big add on for us at the back end of the year, that is for sure.

“He is going to play (against Cas).

“He is not going to play 80 minutes straight away – not too many do when you are recovering from a long-term injury.

“It is usual to drip feed some minutes and get some match fitness back in and then extend week on week.

“That is what we will do. He is in the squad to play.”