St Helens in clear over late inclusion of Wellens

St Helens will not face any punishment for their late inclusion of Paul Wellens in the side that won at Hull last Friday night.

The Great Britain full-back was publicly ruled out with a fractured cheekbone but then included in the starting team after being omitted from the squad that Super League clubs are obliged to name in advance.

The Hull coach, John Kear, complained about the move, as did the League's official bookmakers, William Hill, who have welcomed the advance naming of squads as an antidote to betting coups.

The League said yesterday, however, that Saints had added Wellens to their squad on Friday afternoon and that he was therefore cleared to play.

Wellens' team-mate, Jamie Lyon, hinted yesterday he might stay at Saints when his present two-year contract expires in October.