Nobby must rally troops after Hock shock
Brian Noble faces a huge job to raise his troops ahead of Sunday's tough trip to Hull KR after losing the services of arguably his most potent attacking threat.
Warriors were today still coming to terms with yesterday's bombshell
announcement that star forward Gareth Hock had tested positive for cocaine.
Hock has been provisionally suspended by the RFL after his 'A' sample had traces of Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, following the June 5 clash with Salford City Reds.
If the results of his 'B' sample test on June 30 are also positive, he will face a UK Sport hearing and a likely worldwide ban of two years.
Warriors, who were first notified about the test result on Monday, were relatively tight-lipped over the affair.
They issued only a brief statement yesterday which read: "The club joins with the RFL and UK Sport in deploring and condemning the use of drugs in sport including so-called recreational drugs. Neither the club nor player will be making any further comment on this matter until the investigation by UK Sport is completed."
Hock, who is contracted to Warriors to the end of the 2011 season, would become the sport's most high-profile drugs offender if he gets banned.
His last match was for England in their 66-12 win over France in Paris 10 days ago. He also played in three of England's games at the 2008 World Cup and was a member of Great Britain's Tri-Nations touring squad in 2006.
The Wigan-born player was in trouble with officials last July when he was banned for five matches for tugging the arm of a referee during a match against Huddersfield.
The news could scarcely have come at a worse time for Wigan, who have slipped down to 10th in Super League with only 10 games of the campaign left.
Sunday's trip to Hull KR, who are flying high in the table, would have been daunting enough even without recent developments.
And half-back Sam Tomkins accepts Warriors will have to find their form fast if they are to keep their season alive.
He said: "It's definitely a big time coming up – we can't be coming up with sloppy displays, because it's the business-end of the season."
Meanwhile, Karl Pryce has revealed he will be staying at Wigan until the end of next season after penning a contract extension.
Pryce missed all of last season with a foot injury and has made only occasional appearances this term, but scored four tries for the reserves against Wakefield last weekend and is desperate for a run-out in the first grade.
Pryce said: "The club has stood by me and it's about me wanting to repay them.
"I'll just keeping working hard and hopefully I'll get a chance sooner rather than later."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
