St Helens coach Daniel Anderson has pulled Paul Sculthorpe out of his captain's testimonial match on Saturday.
Strong Saints side but skipper misses out
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson has pulled Paul Sculthorpe out of his captain's testimonial match against Wakefield at Knowsley Road on Saturday.
Anderson has decided that the 30-year-old Great Britain international's rehabilitation from injury is not far enough along to enable him to play.
Sculthorpe has been out of action since tearing his Achilles tendon in June.
The decision to withdraw the loose forward from Saints' only pre-season friendly was made with an eye on next week's opening Super League fixture at Hull KR.
"Whilst Scully has trained at a high level and with a high volume, it is my decision to pull him from his testimonial game as I require more team sessions before I consider him for selection," said Anderson.
Risk
"It is risk I am not willing to take as it is more important that Scully plays consecutive premiership matches in 2008."
Anderson plans to field the rest of his Super League squad on Saturday with the exception of prop Jason Cayless, who is still recovering from knee surgery.
Sculthorpe's younger brother Danny is in the Wakefield team, along with half-back Jamie Rooney, who will have his first pre-season outing after recovering from surgery.
Wildcats coach John Kear also includes close-season signings Danny Brough, Scott Grix, Tony Martin, Brad Drew and Oliver Wilkes.
