Meli to miss big kick-off

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

St Helens' former New Zealand Test winger Francis Meli will be absent for the start of a season for the second successive year.

Meli, 30, missed the opening six matches of the 2009 season after being trapped in New Zealand through visa problems and has yet to return to the club after returning home on compassionate leave.

He is expected back this week but coach Mick Potter has confirmed that he will not be considered for Saturday's game.

Instead Potter will turn to one of the club's host of promising youngsters to fill the spot in the short term.

"We've got a few options," he said. "In contention are Tom Armstrong, Jonny Lomax and Gary Wheeler. They have all played in that position and any one of those would do a good job for us."

Armstrong and Wheeler both deputised on the left flank for Meli a year ago and Lomax filled in for right winger Ade Gardner in mid-season.

Whoever gets the nod will be playing outside current Kiwi international Sia Soliola after Potter confirmed his major close-season recruit will make his Super League debut at left centre against Hull.

The former Sydney Rooster has played in two of the club's trial matches and has also impressed Potter in training.

"I'm really happy with the way he's settled into the club," said Potter. "He looks like he's been here a long time."