Ex-Manly man Perry still on for Saints start

(GETTY IMAGES)

St Helens' new signing, Josh Perry, has been in touch with the club to reassure them that there is no danger of him missing the start of his first season with them.

The Manly and Australia prop was thought to have broken his leg in the victory over the Melbourne Storm at the weekend. But now the injury has been identified as a dislocated tibia and Perry could be back in action in three weeks. He has spoken to the chairman of Saints, Eamonn McManus, to pass on the good news.

The Storm have admitted defeat in their battle to retain Greg Inglis, rated by many as the world's outstanding player. Inglis is joining the Brisbane Broncos on a two-year deal as Melbourne try to get below their salary cap after being heavily punished for breaking it in previous seasons.

Three of their players – Brett Finch, Ryan Hoffman and Jeff Lima – are already earmarked for the move to Wigan next season. Wigan have seen the last of Lee Mossop for this season, as the Cumbrian second-rower needs surgery on a recurrence of a shoulder injury.

Wigan will also check on Amos Roberts' knee before Sunday's game at home to Huddersfield, while Martin Gleeson is definitely out after a hernia operation.

Salford's long-serving hooker Malcolm Alker has agreed to take on a full-time coaching role starting from next season, after combining it with playing this year.

"This is great news for the club," said the director of rugby at Salford, Steve Simms. "Malcolm is a highly respected professional and his reputation at Salford and beyond is thoroughly deserved."

The City Reds have already signed three new players for next season – Luke Patten, Steven Wild and Chris Nero – and can be expected to make a move for a new hooker to replace the 31-year-old Alker, who will miss this Sunday's game against Hull KR with a back injury.

Championship 1's newest club, the South Wales Scorpions, are bracing themselves for one last effort as they try to make the play-offs at their first attempt.

The Neath-based club need just one point from their remaining two games, starting with Sunday's visit by York, to guarantee finishing at least seventh in the table.

"As a club, we have overachieved this year," said their coach, Anthony Seibold. "We have two massive games to go and our destiny is in our own hands."

Steve Ganson will not be officiating at aSuper League game this weekend, but not because of his arrest at the weekend.

The 40-year-old St Helens referee was held by police on Saturday night after an altercation which left an 87-year-old woman seriously injured in hospital.

Ganson has not been named as an official at any of the seven Super League fixtures this weekend, but the Rugby Football League has confirmed that this is because of a prior engagement.