Early fitness update for Saints' Magic trip to Newcastle

Prop Matty Lees is back from a two-match suspension following a high tackle in the Salford game.

And coach Paul Wellens is hopeful that England centre Mark Percival will be back - as long as he comes through tomorrow's training session OK.

Given how well Alex Walmsley has been playing in recent weeks, having Lees back in tandem with him will give Saints' go-forward a real tonic. 

Last Friday's bruising 90-minute game at Leeds did knock both sides about - albeit the hosts coming off worst in the physical stakes.

Wellens gave a fitness update: "Obviously after a game like that there's a few people bumps and bruises and we have had a couple of people who have had to see specialists - and Will Hopoate is one.

“However, we are now hopeful that Will will be fine.

“Other than that it was more bumps and bangs from a tough game that was 90 minutes rather than the usual 80 minutes.

“But pretty much everyone who played came through relatively healthy."

There is a very good chance that Percival will be added to the Magic squad when it is announced on Friday - for the game against Huddersfield Giants (Sunday, 2.15pm).

Wellens said: "Mark is very close.We next train on Thursday afternoon and that will be a very important training session for Mark to get through and then we’ll have to make a decision after that.

“Again it will add to a further selection headache in that three-quarter line if Mark comes through given we have Tommy Makinson, Tee Ritson and Jon Bennison competing for wing spots and the same situation in the centres. 

“It is a headache that I welcome because Mark has show numerous times down the years how important a player he is for the team and it would be great to get him back soon.”

Should Percival return - and Hopoate be given the nod fitness-wise, it will give Wellens a full-strength squad to select from with the exception of Morgan Knowles, who has one more game to serve.