Wilkin has been impressed by the form of Hull KR and Huddersfield

St Helens forward Jon Wilkin is confident of a quick return as he recovers from surgery on his knee.

Wilkin picked up the injury during the 34-30 defeat to Bradford in late April and aggravated the problem in training.

The 25-year-old missed the defeat by Wigan on Saturday after an operation to remove floating cartilage in his knee.

But he told BBC Sport: "It is nothing that is going to keep me out of action for too long. In a couple of weeks I hope to be back."

Wilkin is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme but has not targeted a specific game for his return.

"I'll just see how it reacts in training," added Wilkin. "Since the injury I have not been outside with the team - there is a lot more time in the gym trying to strengthen the area around the injury so it does not happen again."

Saints have now suffered back-to-back Super League defeats and face Catalans in the Challenge Cup on Sunday as they try to arrest their loss of form.

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And Wilkin believes that the intensity of competition has increased since he made his debut for the club in 2003.

"There is not a gulf like there used to be," said the England international.

"When I played my first Super League game there were a couple of teams that you were guaranteed wins against and I don't think that is the case this year.

"Celtic Crusaders have not won yet this season but we only won 4-0 at Brewery Field.

"The competition becoming closer and the teams becoming more competitive is a great thing.

"If that increases the pool of elite players and the spread of them among the clubs then that has to be a positive."

Wilkin is tipping his former club Hull KR and the Huddersfield Giants as two teams that could threaten the recent dominance of St Helens and Leeds.

"There are so many that could come out of the pack," said Wilkin. "Wigan have maybe turned a corner after a poor start, people would argue Bradford have as well.

"But Huddersfield and Hull KR are two teams that look pretty complete.

"They are very good defensively and have a lot of players that can attack and cause problems and if they can maintain their form then I'm sure they'll be a threat."

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