Saints' Welsby and Murphy sidelined in injury blow

Jack Welsby has undergone surgery on a knee injury and faces 16 weeks out

St Helens have been hit by a double injury blow with full-back Jack Welsby and winger Lewis Murphy set for lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Welsby has undergone surgery on a knee issue after being forced off the field in last Friday's defeat by Hull KR at Craven Park and is expected to miss up to 16 weeks of the campaign.

Winger Murphy suffered a quad injury in the same match and is set for an eight week spell on the sidelines.

The news is a blow to head coach Paul Wellens with Saints poised in sixth in the final play-off spot as the halfway stage of the season approaches.

"Obviously it is disappointing news for Jack and Lewis, and the club will, as we always do, give them our full support in their injury recovery," Wellens told the club website.

"I am certain Jack and Lewis will give their all in their rehab to get back on the field and contribute once again to our team when they return."

Welsby, 24, will be a big miss for Saints if, as expected, he is on the sidelines until September given he has six tries, 14 assists and is leading the Super League statistics for carries.

Murphy, 23, was also hitting a decent vein of form having scored a try in each of his last Super League appearances, including against league leaders Hull KR last Friday.