Sculthorpe seeks solution

St Helens are scouring the country for experts to find an answer to Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe?s chronic knee complaint.

The Saints skipper has been dogged by a problem with his right knee for more than 12 months and, despite major surgery and repeated trips to a London specialist, appears to be no nearer to finding a solution.

Sculthorpe, who turns 29 later this month, is rated doubtful to lead the Lions in the Tri-Nations series next month and the injury could even be career-threatening.

He led St Helens to victory in the Powergen Challenge Cup final on August 26 but was brought off during his side?s 34-12 win over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats last Friday after complaining of losing all strength in the joint and was sent for further scans on Monday.

?At the moment we?re exploring any medical avenue we can to get some answers and then get some scenarios,? said Saints coach Daniel Anderson.

?We are trying to find a couple of big-wigs in the field of knees to get their opinions.

?I can?t put a time on it but it maybe later this week or early next week. Then Scully and myself will sit down with the medical staff and make a decision.

?One scenario is to just to keep going as it is now. He goes from training session to training session and from game to game and we rehab around and get him onto the field. That?s what he?s done for the last six months.

?It?s not a significant change to how it?s been this year. He could play week-in, week-out but he?s not comfortable about the strength component.

?Hopefully, within the next few days, we will get some medical advice which will give us some other scenarios that are better than that and we will make a decision from there.?

Sculthorpe, twice a winner of the prestigious Super League Man of Steel award, missed the last two months of last season and the Tri-Nations series after undergoing knee surgery.

He finally got the chance to captain his country in the June Test against New Zealand but was forced out of the match with an injury to his other knee and has made just four appearances in the last 10 weeks.

His form has suffered as a result of the chronic injury and Anderson admits the player is desperate to find a solution.

?Everything is driven by the player,? said Anderson.

?His comfort level and his welfare is the most important thing and also his capacity to be confident in his ability on the football field.

?That?s the premise for everything we?re doing.

?Ultimately the decision will rest with Scully himself. He?s buying into everything. As soon as he says no we stop it but at the moment Scully himself wants to investigate some different scenarios.

?He would like to regain some facets of his game which he feels he hasn?t been able to contribute this year. I think you can see the frustration that he?s probably feeling.?

Meanwhile, Sculthorpe?s possible successor in the Great Britain back row, Jon Wilkin, will sit out Saturday?s engage Super League clash with Leeds Rhinos at Knowsley Road.

Wilkin suffered a badly-broken nose in the 42-12 win over Huddersfield Giants at Twickenham and will be given another week to recover.

?He could play if we really needed him to,? said Anderson. ?He trained (on Monday) and he is not happy at missing the game but, if he gets a good knock on it, it would set him back.

?We have the luxury of being able to give him another week. He will definitely play against Warrington.?

With top spot all but assured, Anderson is also unlikely to play prop Nick Fozzard, who came off with a head injury against Wakefield.

Source: superleague.co.uk