ST HELENS hooker Daryl Clark has been ruled out for the rest of the season with his ankle injury – and could miss England’s World Cup campaign.
Clark suffered ligament damage in Saints’ Magic Weekend defeat to Wigan Warriors.
He was initially given an eight-week recovery timeframe, but it has now been determined that the 33-year-old will require surgery.
That means he will play no part in the rest of the regular season or play-offs should St Helens – currently seventh – finish in the top six.
Clark said: “It’s not the news I wanted to hear, and it’s frustrating, but I’ll get the surgery done and get ripped into my rebab to get back.”
Saints head coach Paul Rowley said Clark will be “touch and go” for this autumn’s World Cup in Australia.
His absence would be a significant one for England, with Clark their first-choice hooker over the past three years.
After playing every match in the Tonga and Samoa Test series of 2023 and 2024 respectively, Clark was starting hooker in the first game of the Ashes last autumn at Wembley, scoring England’s only try.
He was dropped for the rest of the series, however, with Hull KR’s Jez Litten selected instead.
That all came with Shaun Wane as coach, and successor Brian McDermott has a clean slate to pick from a multitude of options.
As well as Litten, Warrington Wolves’ Danny Walker and Brad O’Neill of Wigan Warriors are likely contenders in the squad for that role.
It’s also just another piece of bad news for beleaguered St Helens, who have 16 first-team players out through injury.
ACL victim Owen Dagnall is the latest, with Rowley saying of his winger: “He’s really disappointed and we are for him.
“He just needs to get the operation done and he’s on the road to recovery. He has all our support. He’s a popular guy and we’re gutted for him.”
They are without props Alex Walmsley and George Delaney again for Friday’s visit of Catalans Dragons as they await clearance following head injuries.
Rowley says no more signings will be made, adding: “We’re squeezed on cap and there’s no dispensation. There are no white knights coming. We’re just got to go again.”