JACK WELSBY makes a surprise return to St Helens’ 21-man squad for their home clash against York Knights on Friday night.

After suffering a shoulder injury back in February, Welsby was expected to be out for four months so has defied the odds to be back in contention this weekend.

Bill Leyland also returns to Saints on a short-term loan from Hull KR, with Alfie Sinclair and Billy Keeley dropping out.

Meanwhile, York head coach Mark Applegarth has made three changes with only 18 players named.

Sam Wood, Josh Griffin and Kieran Hudson drop out of the squad while Matty Foster has been called in for a possible club debut.

SQUADS

Saints: 1 Jack Welsby, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Harry Robertson, 6 Tristan Sailor, 7 Jonny Lomax, 8 Alex Walmsley, 9 Daryl Clark, 10 Matty Lees, 12 Shane Wright, 13 David Klemmer, 15 George Delaney, 16 Matt Whitley, 17 George Whitby, 21 Noah Stephens, 22 Joe Shorrocks, 24 Owen Dagnall, 25 Nene Macdonald, 28 Jake Davies, 30 Tom Humphreys, 31 Jackson Hastings, 33 Bill Leyland

Knights: 5 Scott Galeano, 6 Ata Hingano, 8 Jack Martin, 9 Paul McShane, 10 Paul Vaughan, 12 Jesse Dee, 14 Denive Balmforth, 15 Xavier Va’a, 16 Justin Sangaré, 20 Oli Field, 21 Kieran Buchanan, 23 Jon Bennison, 29 Sam Cook, 35 Myles Harrison, 37 Cody Hunter, 46 David Nofoaluma, 47 Ben Littlewood

Referee: Liam Rush

STATS

Last ten meetings:
St Helens 46, York 6 (CCR6, 15/5/15)
St Helens 62, York 0 (CCR5, 6/5/05)
(at Knowsley Road)
York 6, St Helens 14 (JPST-R1, 13/11/88)
(at Wigginton Road)
York 11, St Helens 18 (SLC, 16/3/86)
(at Wigginton Road)
St Helens 30, York 8 (SLC, 8/9/85)
(at Knowsley Road)
York 7, St Helens 19 (SLC, 21/2/82)
(at Wigginton Road)
St Helens 17, York 3 (SLC, 27/1/82)
(at Knowsley Road)
York 5, St Helens 18 (FD, 9/3/80)
(at Wigginton Road)
St Helens 25, York 16 (FD, 4/3/80)
(at Knowsley Road)
York 9, St Helens 10 (FD, 6/4/75)
(at Wigginton Road)

No previous Super League meetings