Super League preview: St Helens to hand debut to new signing Alex Walmsley against Hull FC
St Helens are set to give a Super League debut to former Batley forward Alex Walmsley against Hull on Friday night.
Last Updated: 15/02/13 7:26pm
The 22-year-old 6ft 5in prop has been drafted into coach Nathan Brown's 19-man squad as a replacement for Australian front-rower Josh Perry, who will be out for a month with a knee injury sustained in Sunday's 14-4 win at Widnes.
Walmsley was one of Brown's three close-season signings and played in Saints' pre-season trials, but spent the first two weeks of the season on a dual registration with his old club Batley.
"Big Alex is more than likely to come in for Josh," Brown said. "He has done well. His form in the friendlies has been good and his attitude is first class."
Saints will also be without utility player Lance Hohaia for a month after he damaged a shoulder at Widnes, but are hopeful hooker James Roby will return after missing the round-two game with a foot injury.
Hull FC coach Peter Gentle has retained the same squad that was on duty for the 28-12 win over Bradford last Sunday.
Forwards Danny Tickle and Liam Watts again miss out through injury, while Joe Arundel and Brett Seymour are again likely to be left out.
"People might say they are misfiring a bit but they can say the same about us," said Gentle of his side's next opponents.
"Their defensive patterns aren't quite nailed on at the moment and their attack is still coming together but they've got a very good squad.
"I still think they'll be right up there at the top of the table come round 27. They are a very good side and they'll improve each week, which we hope to do as well."
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Turner, Soliola, Meli, Lomax, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Wilkin, Manu, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Jones, Gaskell, Makinson, Greenwood, Walmsley, Walker
Hull FC squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crooks, Crookes, Galea, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lynch, McDonnell, O'Meley, Pitts, Seymour, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman