The bustling Wigan prop has admitted he ha been left 'gutted' by his recent bad luck, including his most recent dose of misfortune, missing out on World Cup selection.

A painful back injury first picked up earlier this season has come back to haunt him and Prescott has been forced to withdraw from the Irish squad that will jet out to Australia at the end of the month.

The same injury also forced the young front-row forward to miss the end of the Super League season and Warriors' extended campaign as the side won two crunch play-off games to come within 80 minutes of a place in the Grand Final.

Prescott could only sit on the sidelines and dream of what might have been.

The former Wigan St Jude's amateur made his last appearance in Warriors' splendid 16-16 draw against St Helens at Knowsley Road early last month.

This game provided the platform to launch the side's relatively successful end-of-season surge, but not for Prescott.

He said: "These last few weeks have been a real sickener.
"I originally hurt my back at training before the trip to Wakefield back in May and the medics said it was a disc problem.

"I had an epidural and took pain-killers and got back on the pitch.
"But when the anaesthetic wore off I was in agony again.

"I couldn't sleep and could barely walk.

"I've just been a spectator for about six weeks now and while I've been been wishing the lads all the best and willing them on, it has been very frustrating.

"And now I've missed out on the World Cup. I feel gutted."
Prescott has identified a couple of positives.
He doesn't need surgery and is determined to make the most of the winter break to ensure he's fighting fit for the start of Super League 2009.

Prescott added: "The doc has said that another epidural, rest and treatment will see me right and I'm going for it.

"Hopefully I'll be up and running soon which should give me a full off-season to get myself in fettle for next year when I can make up for the time I've lost."

Scotland have named former Wigan forward Scott Logan, 32, in their squad for this year's World Cup.