Gleeson: Best is yet to come
Martin Gleeson is promising fans there is a lot more to come from him.
The 29-year-old has been hampered by a series of niggling injuries in the last few weeks.
And he says he wasn't surprised to be left out of the England Test squad.
But Gleeson is confident a good break – Wigan have no game next weekend – will be the perfect tonic for a strong finish in the closing stages of the season.
He said: "I'm fitting into a new side and I've still got a few niggling injuries that I'm trying to get over.
"We've got a week off next week, so it will be a good chance to get over them.
"I've not been anywhere near my best."
The centre – a 100,000 recruit from Warrington in April – has been a mainstay in the Test side for the last few years.
But he was left out of the England squad that travelled to France for this Saturday's Test match against France.
National coach Tony Smith also left World Cup players such as Paul Wellens, Kevin Sinfield, Leon Pryce and Mark Calderwood out of his squad.
Gleeson admits he expected to be omitted after making Smith aware of his niggling injuries.
But he is hoping to be back to his best in time for the Four Nations being staged at the end of the year.
He added: "I spoke to Tony a few weeks ago, and I wasn't really thinking about playing in that France game."
Gleeson, who has scored two tries in his 10 matches for Wigan, is likely to figure in Brian Noble's side to take on Celtic Crusaders at Bridgend on Saturday.
Wigan's 34-18 victory against Salford last Friday moved them into the top eight for the first time since March.
But with Castleford, Hull and Warrington all level on points with seventh-placed Warriors, Gleeson is aware they certainly can't afford a slip-up against Super League's basement battlers.
"We can see that our attack is gradually coming to the fore," said Gleeson.
"And the table is that tight, with so few points separating the sides, that a few wins would get us in the top four."
Australian forward Phil Bailey is expected to return to the side in Wales after missing last Friday's match as a precaution.
The former Kangaroos tourist said: "I've had a niggling hip injury recently and Brian Noble said he wanted to rest me and ensure I am ready to go for the Celtic game.
"With no Gaz Hock or Sean O'Loughlin in the pack, it is crucial that I am ready."
Hock is on England duty, along with half-back Sam Tomkins, while O'Loughlin was forced to withdraw with a knee injury.
Warriors' game in Bridgend against Crusaders has a 6pm kick-off, while England's game in Paris starts at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Wigan winger Amos Roberts is in line to take on Super League's top speedsters for the title of rugby league's fastest man.
The jet-heeled Aussie has been put forward to race against other fliers
including Kevin Penny (Warrington), Scott Donald (Leeds), Dave Halley
(Bradford) and Peter Fox (Hull KR).
The 90m sprint challenge will be held at Headingley, Leeds, during the floodlit nines event being staged on August 26.
Roberts, who joined Wigan this year from Sydney Roosters, is 12/1 to win with bookies Totesport, well behind Penny (2/1) and Donald (4/1).
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
