JAKE WINGFIELD hopes to put his injury troubles behind him after signing a contract extension with St Helens for 2027.
The homegrown forward, who will head into his eighth first-team season, hopes he can repay the club’s faith in him with a strong year under incoming coach Kevin Walters.
The 25-year-old Blackbrook junior’s existing contract had triggers for the 2027 and 2028 campaigns based on appearances made, but those were not activated after an ACL injury in April’s Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Catalans Dragons limited him to just five matches last season.
Wingfield, who made his Super League debut in 2020 and went on to play his part in both the 2022 Super League Grand Final and 2023 World Club Challenge triumphs, has 69 first-team appearances under his belt.
And the versatile forward is grateful for the chance to go again in 2027, enthusing: “I’m absolutely over the moon, especially after the year I’ve had.
“I’m absolutely buzzing that the club has stuck by me, given me this extra year and another opportunity to prove myself next year.
“Hopefully I’ll have a bit more luck as well.”
Having seen both his 2024 and 2026 seasons cut short by serious injuries, Wingfield is keen to channel the frustration of his time on the sidelines into continuing to establish himself as a senior leader at the club.
“[The ACL injury] probably hit me harder mentally than any of my previous injuries initially,” he explained.
“But I soon got over that and started thinking about what’s next and how I could get back next year.
“You start to become a senior voice in the team, have more of a role vocally, and help the young lads coming through, and then it feels like another setback comes along.
“I’m hopeful I’m past that now, and can start passing my experience on.
“I’ve learned a lot from senior players, and there’s always a new crop of youngsters coming through every year.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in with them during pre-season and hopefully help them in the same way I was helped here.”
