Prescott ready to roar back
FIRED-up Paul Prescott is hoping to blast back into first-team contention this week.
The hard-running prop has recovered from an operation on a detached retina.
And he is hoping to force his way back into the side for Wigan’s final game of the regular Super League campaign.
The Warriors host Bradford Bulls on Friday night, a game that should have a party atmosphere to it as Michael Maguire and his charges are presented with the league leaders shield afterwards.
Prescott played down the severity of his injury and is just happy that he is fit to play a role for the side as they prepare to navigate the play-offs and land a Grand Final spot that has eluded Wigan for the past seven years.
The academy-product said: “It’s good news about the injury, everything’s healed and fingers crossed I should be available for the Bradford game.
“I had the same injury a few years ago. This time, it wasn’t a specific incident that caused it.
“It was just a small tear that was getting worse – it was honestly no big deal.
“I’d had the surgery before so I knew what to expect. It’s not as bad as it sounds.
“Like all operations I had to rest up for a few days but I trained well all last week and I can’t wait to get back in the team.”
Although Prescott is often thought of as one of Wigan’s ‘youngsters’, he is now 24 and one of the club’s longest-serving players.
This is his sixth season in the first-team and, he says, the most enjoyable.
And as a proud Wiganer, he is desperate to deliver Grand Final success to the town after so many near-misses in the play-offs.
He said: “The atmosphere and team spirit around the place is fantastic – I know players say that all the time, but it really is.
“Everyone is really positive and working hard for each other.
“We want to keep that buzz going all the way to the Grand Final.
“Winning the League Leaders’ Shield was a massive achievement and now everyone is really hungry to kick on this year.
“We’re not done yet – no one is resting on their laurels. Everyone’s desperate to do well and the pleasing thing is, everyone’s prepared to put in the hard work.”
While Maguire lost Harrison Hansen to a season-ending injury from the victory at Hull KR – a game that secured the Warriors top spot in Super League – the return of Prescott and Stuart Fielden from suspension will bolster his pack for this week’s visit of Bradford, who have missed out on the play-offs for a second successive year.
Centres Martin Gleeson and George Carmont could also be available, having both missed the trip to the Robins.
Other players recovering from injuries are prop Eamon O’Carroll, hooker Mike McIlorum and forward Phil Bailey.
Meanwhile, Salford have denied reports linking them with a move for Wigan’s under-contract forward Hansen.
Director of football Steve Simms said: “There’s nothing in it.”
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Weather for Wigan
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny spells
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