Scrum-half Luke Walsh: Has been out since last July

St Helens have announced that Australian scrum-half Luke Walsh will have to sit out Sunday’s World Club Challenge match against South Sydney.

The former Penrith Panthers man has been on the sidelines since July with leg and ankle injuries but he has now recovered.

However, a virus prevented him from returning to full training in time to face Salford in the Super League last Thursday and it has been decided not to risk him this weekend.

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham said: “Luke won’t play, he’s not ready.

“It's unfortunate he can't be part of such a big event but I don't think we can risk him.

"He's a world-class player and he'd have a big influence on the game, but we have a very long season and we'll probably need him on many occasions down the track."

The absence of their goal-kicking playmaker will be a blow to Saints but they coped without him in last October’s Grand Final against Wigan, when Paul Wellens and Mark Flanagan filled in.

And new captain Jon Wilkin has performed well in the position in the first two games of the Super League campaign.