St Helens forward Batchelor facing four weeks out

Joe Batchelor has joined the growing injury list at St Helens ahead of Friday's Super League fixture against Leeds Rhinos with the forward facing four weeks out with a calf tear.
Head coach Paul Wellens confirmed a scan on the forward had delivered the bad news following Batchelor's exit from the field against Salford Red Devils.
Advertisement
"On the physio's first look we were expecting it to be worse so we will take a little bit of comfort in that, but he could be out for four weeks," Wellens said.
Saints are also sweating on the fitness of fellow forward Curtis Sironen, who left the field against Salford after suffering back spasms.
Wellens will give Sironen until the "11th hour" to prove his fitness but admitted that the "signs are not looking good".
Saints are also without half-back and kicker George Whitby after he failed a head injury assessment in Greater Manchester.
"He is recovering well and ticking the boxes. Once he is back fit and firing he can be a very important player for us," Wellens added.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Indianapolis Star

2 hours ago

• Indianapolis Star

Using tactic developed by Yankees coach, state champion Lutheran wreaks havoc on basepaths

INDIANAPOLIS – The Lutheran baseball team's unique and aggressive style of baserunning utilizing a technique developed by Fort Wayne native Matt Talarico. Talarico is the baserunning coordinator for the New York Yankees. He began his coaching career at Division III Heidelberg before making stops at Toledo, Dayton and Wright State. In 2018, Talarico helped the Raiders rank seventh nationally in stolen bases using jump leads. Lutheran doesn't use signs to initiate stolen bases. Using jump leads, the Saints rely on timing and anticipation to swipe bags. The Saints time the pitcher's leg lift, springing into their lead as the pitcher's windup begins. If the runner times it right, the runner goes every time. If the runner doesn't time it right, they're still in an athletic position, breaking down and turning a jump lead into a secondary lead. 'I just went for it.' Lutheran pulls off hidden ball trick in Class A final Lutheran runs its way to first title: 'I wanted to prove how good we were' "The leaders at Baseball Academics Midwest learned (jump leads) from (Talarico)," Lutheran coach Josh Meaney said of the AAU baseball program he's an assistant coach for. "The Yankees run the same program. It's all about timing. It's about pitcher timing and pitcher tendencies when you get your bound. "If you land on time, you go. If you're not, you get in your secondary and wait for another pitch." The tactic can be risky, but when timed right it's almost indefensible. Senior Owen Lecher used a jump lead to swipe second and third uncontested in the first inning. Senior Austin Brandenburg used the technique to steal home in fifth inning. The Saints stole four bases in their 14-1 win over Kouts in Friday's Class A state championship and forced multiple errors with their aggressive baserunning. Leadoff hitter Nate Hughes led Lutheran with 15 steals this season. He's one of four players with at least 10 steals. Twelve players have at least one steal. The jump leads put pressure on the defense, and it also causes indecision in the pitcher. Seeing a runner take off could force the pitcher's delivery to speed up, throwing off the windup mechanics and making it harder to throw a strike. "It's exhausting for them, that why I want to do that," Meaney said. "We want to create that pressure. (Kouts pitcher Billy Miller) couldn't command the strikeout pitches. When you're worried about runners running, one through nine, you've got a tendency to leave one over the plate and that's what we hit."

USA Today

8 hours ago

• USA Today

Ray Fittipaldo says Joey Porter Jr.'s development caused one Steelers coaching change

Joey Porter Jr. has had an up-and-down first two years in the NFL — and according to insider Ray Fittipaldo, ex-Steelers DB coach Grady Brown may be at fault. On a recent episode of 93.7 The Fan, Fittipaldo connected Porter's development issues to Brown losing his job in Pittsburgh: "[Steelers DB coach Gerald Alexander] said he thinks [Joey]'s elite at the line of scrimmage, in terms of disrupting, but it's everything that happens after that where Joey still struggles. Like, your transition to your coverage, then once you're close to your guy — don't put your hands on him, and then be more opportunistic when the ball's in the air. He's been kind of behind the eight ball in all three of those things. "That's Gerald's job. That's why Grady Brown is no longer here. Joey Porter has not developed the way they hoped he thought he would as a No. 32 overall pick in that draft." The Steelers hired Alexander in February to serve as the new defensive backs coach, while Brown was picked up by the Saints to serve as their new cornerbacks coach. Porter could be in for a major breakout in 2025 alongside newly signed CB Darius Slay Jr., who's taken the third-year Steelers corner under his wing this offseason. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

Yahoo

10 hours ago

• Yahoo

Rugby legend Kevin Sinfield to share his story at North East event

Rugby legend and charity fundraiser Kevin Sinfield will share his story at a special North East event. The former Leeds player and successful Super League star is launching The Extra Mile speaking tour. On Thursday, September 25, he will stop at Gateshead's The Fed, recounting tales from his career and his team's charitable efforts, which have raised millions for motor neurone disease (MND) charities. Kevin Sinfield going the extra mile (Image: Alamy) The multi-award-winning player, who earned 26 caps for England and 14 for Great Britain, will particularly highlight his fundraising for ex-teammate Rob Burrow. Sinfield and Burrow formed a strong bond over 15 years of playing rugby together, which extended beyond the field. When Burrow was diagnosed with MND, Sinfield committed to running seven marathons in seven days to raise £77,777 for his friend and the MND Association. This initiative alone raised over £2 million, with the current total from Kevin and his team's efforts exceeding £12 million. The funds have been crucial in aiding research into the cause of the debilitating disease. Sinfield continues to support MND research, balancing his fundraising with his career and personal friendships, which will all feature in his talk. He said: "I can't wait to bring the event to the North East. READ MORE: Band raises £50,000 for children's cancer charities in memory of Darlington teenager County Durham salon refused by council after source of 'noise and disruption' Popular Spennymoor butchers with 40 years' experience named The Northern Echo's best "Every time we have visited for the challenges the people have come out in force to support us, and I am really grateful, hopefully we will see a lot of old friends there." Tickets for the evening at The Fed are priced at £30 for silver tickets and £50 for VIP tickets which include a signed copy of Kevin's book, The Extra Mile, and a printed photograph with the player. They are available at