SOME of the gloss has been taken off the Saints' World Club Championship victory celebrations following the news that rising full-back star Paul Wellens has suffered a fractured eye socket.

The talented youngster, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame since first forcing his way into the first team frame as a utility player, was injured in the epic victory over Brisbane Broncos at the Reebok Stadium on Friday.

Preliminary diagnosis is that he could be out of action for at least a month and will definitely miss the Challenge Cup derby clash with Wigan.

It was at first believed that Wellens, who has made the Knowsley Road full-back spot his own and also enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign with England, had suffered only bruising following a 22nd minute incident involving one of the Broncos players.

Undaunted, the 20-year-old returned to the fray, despite being virtually 'blind' in the damaged left eye. A subsequent scan revealed the true extent of the damage and he has been prescribed anti-biotics to counter possible infection.

No videos of the World Club Challenge Final are available at Knowsley Road. This is due to a change in Sky Television's rules when games are played on soccer grounds.

Saints' annual dinner dance will be held at the Hilton Hotel tomorrow, (Friday, February 2) starting at 7.30pm. Dress black tie. First team players will attend. Dancing to the Manhattan Band. Tickets £30 from Andy Foreman or Kel Coslett on St Helens 23697,

The Supporters Club player-of-the-season awards night will be held at the Nexus club on Wednesday, February 14, from 7.30pm. Tickets £5, including refreshments, from the souvenir shop at Knowsley Road.

Answer to correspondent Arthur Jones of Newtown: Saints' Welsh international hooker Reg Blakemore made his debut against New Zealand on September 25, 1947. Reg still lives locally. The Kiwis won 11-5. Albert 'Sonny' Doyle (try) and Jim Stott (goal) scored Saints' points. Team: Frodsham; Greenall, T. Stott, J. Stott, Doyle; Constance, Morris; Norris, Blakemore, Aspinall, Aston, Heaton, Dixon. Mr Jones is also looking for memorabilia of the match. This can be left with me at the Star and will be returned.