Kristian Woolf provides St Helens injury update with two men closing in on return

St Helens boss Krisitan Woolf says Will Hopoate could play in their Grand Final rematch against Catalans Dragons - and Louie-McCarthy-Scarsbrook is closing in on a return. Tonga full-back Hopoate has had a frustrating debut season with the Super League champions.

He suffered a fractured rib cartilage on debut and has then been dogged by recurring leg and hamstring issues. Hopoate has managed just seven appearances, the last of which was an impressive show in the 26-18 win over Hull KR.

The ex-Manly ace then missed last week’s success against Leeds Rhinos but is back in contention for Saturday’s trip to Perpignan.

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Woolf said: “Will is one we’ll make a decision on later in the week but he’s a very good chance of playing. He trained today and trained terrifically. It’s just a case of monitoring how he pulls up.

“It’s been frustrating for him but the really frustrating thing for him is that it’s little niggles in different areas each time. But we’ve put a couple of things in place around his treatment and a couple of things we’ve had a bit of intervention with. We’re also looking at some things we can monitor as well which we think will really help him and us going forward as there’s no doubt when he’s on the field we’re a better team.”

Woolf added: “The way he played against Hull KR, that first half certainly, showed his quality and the influence he can have on the team. We just need to get him out there and get him consistent and by that I mean playing consecutive weeks and playing consistently and I know he’ll have a real impact for us.”

Woolf says Sione Mata'utia and James Bell will return after they completed their suspensions but England centre Mark Percival