He looks a different player from the short spell last season, maybe the longer contract has settled him and he has quickly become part of the squad.

He's been great since he's come back to us. If his form continues i can't see J-Lo just walking back into the side. I can see how McDonnell could also supply cover across the backs, he's a great support player.

SMD and Sav on the pitch at the same time could be a great pairing. Sav likes to get his hands free and SMD is always Johnny on the spot supporting

I like Shannon. He's won me over so far. To be fair to him he played well last season as well until he got injured. Lomax could end up at 6 or as 1,3,4,6,7,9 cover from the bench.

I don't think anyone will know where he will be playing until he has a few injury free months under his belt. But his lack of a kicking game will always be a problem for him in the halves, unless he is playing between players like Walsh and Wilkin. He could still turn into a Danny McGuire type of a 6 if he can regain his speed and zip

Speed and zip? Not words I'd associate with Lomax even after his previous returns.

We might as well put jonny down and have done with him the way some are talking on here. I know for a fact that Jonny will be fullback when he's back. KC likes him and will give him every opportunity to regain his form and fitness. Kc didn't really want mcdonnell for next year.

Like I said earlier in the thread thst SMD as done ok so far but he's your average run of the mill fullback with a excellent support play. His defence is pretty woeful to be honest.

Sky say he's been immense since he returned to St. Helens for his second spell, next thing, he picks up a ankle injury. Can it be any worse for you guys with potentially Wellens, Makinson, Swift, McDonnell, Lomax out of the back line.

No.

We could lose Dawson, Percival and Turner as well?

Depending on who KC chooses for fullback now, these may not have much impact. Turner and Jones centres, Percival and Dawson on the wings is fine. We might even see someone from the academy.

I'd put Turner at fullback. It's not quite happened to the same degree in Super League but in the NRL lots of teams have moved their most dangerous player to fullback. For example in the 2013 World Cup, of the Aussie backline, all 5 of them were fullbacks at NRL level. He's one of our most dangerous players, he's an athlete, and he can pass. He played halfback and loose last year so he's clearly able to adapt to different roles if necessary. He also has enough experience; fullback is a tough position to bring someone in from the academy just because it's such an isolated position. If you stick an academy centre in, you've got Wilkin and Walsh on either side of him talking to him constantly and a team around him to hide his errors where possible. If you stick a young fullback in, he's on his own with 30 metres of space and every error is noticed by the entire ground.

Assuming Swift will be OK for next week and to avoid too much dissruption we could put Jones at full back or perhaps try out fleming in that position. We still have options at the moment.

Kevin Locke for a month?

Or Bailey, who is is actually a fullback? Turner is playing brilliantly at centre, why do we have to start moving lads about, to weaken our back line even more?

How long is Shannon out for?

Josh Jones fullback ?