SAINTS boss Paul Wellens has given an update on Konrad Hurrell's recovery from neck surgery - and shared his thoughts on the Tongan centre's future at the club.

Hurrell, who this week became a dad for the second time, was ruled out for the rest of this campaign after undergoing neck surgery.

Although the former Leeds centre is off contract at the end of this term, he may not have played his last game for the club - and Wellens' gut feeling is to keep for next year.

Wellens said: "Konrad’s recovery is coming on really well.

"He is out on the field doing a bit of running and bits of skill now.

"He is obviously nowhere near doing the contact elements of training, so it's just about keeping on top of his fitness at the moment.

"He is doing plenty of work on the bike and just integrating in and around the squad as much as possible.

"He will go and see a specialist in November when he has his next specialist consultation.

"But post-surgery, they're very confident he's making the best progress."

Hurrell is one of a number of players off contact at the end of this year whose futures have not yet been determined or announced.

But Wellens said that discussions will continue to take place with the popular Tongan powerhouse.

Wellens said: "We're going to sit down with Konrad very soon and he's an important part of our club.

"He's been an important part of this team for a number of years now.

"He's such a very well-liked member of the group, that's why I'm desperate to keep him around the team - even though he's injured and he can't play for the rest of the year he's such a positive influence on the group as well.

"We're going sit down with Konrad soon and make some decisions between ourselves.

"My gut feeling is that he's a player I'd love to keep around.

"But we'll have those discussions moving forward.

"But what we can't do is wait till November.

"That's not fair on Konrad, we need to make a a definitive decision as soon as possible."