Eastmond set for shock comeback
Kyle Eastmond is poised to make a shock return for injury-hit St Helens in Monday's Engage Super League clash against Hull at the KC Stadium.
The 21-year-old England half-back, who will switch codes and join Bath at the end of the season, has missed the club's last seven matches but is named in coach Royce Simmons' 19-man squad.
Eastmond was suspended on March 16 after making abusive gestures to the club's fans during the shock home defeat to Harlequins and subsequently warned over his future conduct. St Helens lifted the suspension on March 25 but he was unable to reclaim his place because of the form of new half-back pairing Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell and was forced to play for the Under-20s.
More recently, Eastmond has been missing through illness but is likely to get his chance due to an injury crisis that has robbed Royce of the services of five half-backs.
Lomax and Scott Moore both joined Gaskell, Leon Pryce and Gary Wheeler on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments in the 22-20 win over Castleford last Monday, paving the way for Eastmond to form a sixth different half-back of the season with Jon Wilkin.
Saints will also be without full-back Paul Wellens and forwards Chris Flannery and Paul Clough, but Australian prop Josh Perry is in line to return after missing the last three matches with a groin strain, while Simmons has called up youngsters Warren Thompson and Nathan Ashe.
Hull have former Castleford forward Joe Westerman back from an ankle injury as they look to make it three wins in a row.
One of only three clubs to take maximum points from the Easter programme, the Black and Whites will be aiming to repeat their efforts of last season when they completed a notable double over Saints.
Most eyes will be on former St Helens centre Martin Gleeson, who has yet to experience defeat with his new club, but scrum-half Sean Long is denied the chance of another reunion because of a broken thumb.
Sam Obst will continue in the halves alongside the long-serving Richard Horne, while full-back Cameron Phelps is expected to play despite leaving the field at half-time against Warrington with a tight hamstring.
