SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook expects Castleford and England scrum-half Luke Gale to make a dramatic return to action in the Betfred Super League semi final despite undergoing emergency surgery to remove his appendix just two weeks ago.

Speaking at yesterday's Dream Team launch, which saw him named for the third consecutive time, Gale said he is hoping to be cleared for Thursday's crunch clash.

Holbrook expects Gale, who has had an outstanding year and has been named in the Dream Team for the third consecutive year, to play.

He said: "I think he should play and I hope he does.

"He's had a great season and he deserves to play in a semi-final," he said.

It has been a tough time for Gale - but he has refused to accept that his season was over, despite having surgery.

Gale said: "I'm taking each day as it comes.

"I keep pushing it day by day and it's progressing slowly but surely.

"I'll have a late fitness test on Wednesday and hopefully get the green light."

Two weeks ago he was told that both his Grand Final hopes and his World Cup dream were at an end.

Saints will still have a big say on the first of those!

Gale was initially told by his physio that it was indigestion, but it soon became clear it was more serious.

He said: "The pain was pretty tough and it got gradually worse. He rang 111 for me and they came and hooked me up to a drip. The doctor said straight away 'you'll have to have an operation tonight'.

"It was a bit of a shock to be honest. I thought it might have been a bit of food poisoning, I didn't have a clue. I felt a bit sick and I put it down to a gym session.

"After pressing on my stomach, she said 'look, your season is over, you won't be going to Australia'.

"Then someone else then came in and assured me it wasn't that bad but for two hours I laid on the bed and thought 'everything I've done this year has all come to and end and it was quite hard to take.

"The doctors said three weeks but we in rugby league we tend not to listen to doctors.

"It all went well and I'm feeling fit and healthy again."

Castleford coach Daryl Powell intends to include Gale in the 19-man squad he names at noon today but will not make a final decision for another 24 hours.

"He's had a run today (Monday)," Powell said.

"He hasn't had any contact so we'll wait until Wednesday and make a decision after seeing how he comes through the final session. He'll be close I think."