Sims has signed an extension to the end of 2017.

Both Wheeler and Philbin with us till the end of 2016.

I'd like to sign Philbin up for a proper contract. I like the look of him. Wouldn't mind seeing him at prop actually. For his age and height, he is a stocky/heavy lad.

Agreed! The lad can shift as well from what I've seen. Runs some great lines, pretty agile. Has potential to be something in the mold of Hill.

The Wheeler call is drawing blanks from me though, his contract must be absolute peanuts.

You are in the same conundrum Saints faced with Wheeler. The coaching staff are no doubt seeing him train, seeing on a daily basis the natural talent he has and being drawn into believing they can get the best out of him. That combined with the fear that if you release him he'll show that potential at another club. It's amazing to think he's been given another chance at a top SL club. After so many years at Saints, then a continuation of the same issues at Warrington, he really has to realise it's now or never for his career.

Another possibility being discussed on the Saints forum is clubs picking up average players to flesh out the reserve side. We're rumoured to be signing half of Widnes's fringe players on sub-salary cap level (£20k/£30k?) for that purpose. Potentially Wheeler fits this, low wage, aim to play in the reserves and potentially push for first team and provide injury cover?

Who knows, a new strength, fitness & conditioning coach in John Clarke may breathe new life into Wheeler's career.

I am staggered really. He won't play ten games. Lucky if we get five.

Give the lad a break, he's top class and if he can stay fit he'll open a few eyes

I agree with Chester wire 6/4 he plays less than ten games. 10/1 over 10 games lol

A couple of thousand years ago, a fella called Jesus was reported to have raised a geezer called Lazarus from the dead.
Last week, Uncle Tony went to bed in his best P&B jim-jams. Before he turned the light out, he closed his hands together, and said "Dear Jesus. Please do your best, and grant us that Wheeler will play 3 consecutive games without picking up an injury"
The lightbulb dimmed, and the curtains billowed, and a gentle voice said "You're avin a larf, mate. Lazarus was one thing, but this bloke? Nahhh, mate. You're stuck wiv I'm"

Guess he's on a pray as you play contract

Glad to see you're all behind him

I'd hate to be behind him, if I was in the queue for the Physio's table.

"Oi, come on Sicknote. you've 'ad your go"

Gary Wheelchair, please sir can you can me your agents card, i have a turd polishing business that hasn't quite taken off yet.

Get him fit n he can do a job. Nowhere near as bad as some make out. Getting him match ready is the issue.

I'd say not being able to play is a fairly big issue though isn't it?

Also worth noting in the games he's actually played he's been hopeless. ...

It was never like getting a Ronnie Duane or a mark Roberts back from injury. ....

We gave Wheeler a one year contract to show what he could do ...he did what most expected. .get injured. ..

There is no shame or ruthlessness in letting him go... We have shafted many a seasoned pro in recent years we certainly don't have to show Wheeler any compassion. ....

Can't get my head round Wheeler surely we would have been better to bring Ryan Shaw back who had a good year for Bradford and now signed for Hull K R can play centre, wing, fullback and can kick goals he wouldn't be first choice in the first team but could play reserves and a good back up in a long season I would have thought salary would be similar

He would make a good programme seller. He wouldn't get injured doing that....

It's a bit of a two way situation though isn't it? The club and the supporters have backed plenty of players through periods of injury and rightly, or wrongly, it is usually based on the player actually contributing something to the team.

A player like Grix 'earned' our compassion through his exploits in the P&B, we certainly missed him last year. Wheeler on the other hand....I'm sorry to say I'm with the majority on here, he might be potentially a great player but he hasn't shown that here yet and I doubt he ever will.

We don't owe the lad anything and IMO certainly less than giving one of our own youngsters a chance to step up now and again and build their career

The reserve team filler makes sense, if it is to be a U23's would Wheeler be eligible as I'm not sure how old he is 25/26? or whether one or two over age players would be allowed to play after injury.

Shaw would have been a better option, but he will probably be on more money at KR, as you say he would have been a better long term signing.

Paper cuts? Very nasty. There's three weeks out, at least.

Smith previously said that Wheeler was "playing for a contract" when there was about 4-5 games left. I think he scored 2 tries in the match against Hull at HJ and then didn't play for the rest of the season. Is that really enough to secure another 12 months of employment?

I wouldn't be surprised if they gave Gaz the wrong contract to sign & we have him for a 5 year deal ,just like Matt Sturm.

Mind you ,when he played for Saints ,he got glowing reports from the fans providing he could be kept fit.

This is the thing i don't get... if he had been brilliant in a few games and missed the rest, i could understand it.

But he was rubbish.