St Helens suffer injury blow as Matty Lees ruled out of Challenge Cup final

The 21-year-old has played in all but two of his side's 29 league and cup games this season but will sit out Saturday's Wembley clash with Warrington with a hip injury sustained in Saints' 36-20 Super League win at Leeds last Thursday.

"He had a knock on his hip but we thought he would be okay," St Helens coach Justin Holbrook said at the cup final media day in Salford.

"However, he was in a bad way after the game and was taken to hospital and had surgery there. It's not great, he's going to be out for a fair bit.

"It's a huge blow. I'm really disappointed for him. He's a tremendous young player and plays as tough as anyone."

Lees will be Saints' only absentee at Wembley, with Holbrook able to select from a handy list of replacements.

Second rower Zeb Taia will play after missing the semi-final win over Halifax with a shoulder injury while loose forward Morgan Knowles could force his way back in after sitting out the last three matches.

"We've still got to leave a couple of great players out this week," added Holbrook, who has rotated his team over the last month. "We're in a good place, whoever runs out for us has played really well."

The injury to Lees took the spotlight off Warrington's injury problems at Monday's press conference at MediaCityUK in Salford.

Stand-off Blake Austin (ankle), second rower Jack Hughes (ruptured testicle) and winger Josh Charnley (knee) were already doubts and they were joined by full-back Stefan Ratchford, who suffered a lower leg injury in Friday's 20-6 defeat at Wigan.

"With Blake Austin, Jack Hughes and Josh Charnley, I'll give them until the later stages of the week," Price said.

"Official training starts tomorrow so until then, there isn't really too much to say but it's looking positive.

"Stef copped a couple of knocks in the game the other night but I'm confident he'll be right.

"If they're not right for captain's run, we'll have to look at other options. We've got a number of different plans we can put out there.

"We've a number of options for six but hopefully it doesn't come to that. If Blake can't play, it's disappointing for Blake but it's a good opportunity for someone else to become a Warrington legend."

The 19-man squads will be out on Thursday but Price says he will wait until Friday's captain's run at Wembley before making a decision.

Holbrook is expecting the Wolves to be close to full strength.

"I think the others will definitely play, Charnley and Jack Hughes," he said. "I'm not sure what they'll do with Blake. We'll plan for him to play and if he doesn't it's up to them to worry about the re-shuffle."