St Helens winger Ade Gardner ruled out for six weeks

Gardner has scored 138 tries in 229 appearances for Saints

St Helens winger Ade Gardner has been ruled out for at least six weeks with cartilage damage to his ribs.

Gardner was forced off early in Saints' 32-12 home defeat by Hull in Saturday's first match of the season - and the injury is worse than first thought.

"It's normally two to three weeks if there's damage to a single rib," said St Helens coach Mick Potter.

"But there's three or four apparently so it's not good for him. The doctor is optimistic it could be six weeks."

He added: "But it depends on the pain and he won't be able to do much training for three or four weeks."

The loss of the 26-year-old right winger has been offset by the availability of regular right winger Francis Meli.

The former New Zealand international was granted compassionate leave for the opening fixture but Potter confirmed that he will return for Sunday's trip to Bradford.

St Helens will also be without centre Sia Soliola for the Bradford match after he damaged an ankle on his debut last Saturday.

Prop forward James Graham has been cleared to face the Bulls after his sternum injury was diagnosed as bruising.

Meanwhile, Chris Dean is in line to replace Soliola, if he recovers in time from a shoulder injury sustained in training.