But the Wigan skipper has wished his team-mates all the best as they head towards the play-offs and has pledged to be with them all the way.

O'Loughlin – whose World Cup dreams are in tatters too – has been told that he can't play again this year after a scan on his shoulder revealed that a fracture still hasn't healed properly.

The Test loose forward broke his shoulder blade against Warrington in May, an attempted comeback at Hull KR two months later proving premature.

Now he has been told that he needs another six weeks to recover, ending his season and ruling him out of the England squad for the World Cup in Australia.

He said: "This is a real blow and I feel bitterly disappointed. But what can I do?

"I have to heed the medical advice and there's the long-term to consider too because I have to get over this injury once and for all.

"I was hoping to be able to prove my form and fitness to England coach Tony Smith in the play-offs and try and get selected for the World Cup.

"That's going to pass me by as well now and that's another sickener."

O'Loughlin's setback means that Trent Barrett will continue to captain the side until the end of the campaign and the end of the Australian's career at the JJB Stadium.

He will lead out Warriors against St Helens at Knowsley Road tonight (kick-off 8pm)

O'Loughlin added: "All I can do is offer the Wigan boys all my support and wish them every success at Saints this evening and then in the play-offs.

"At least I should be able to benefit from a full off-season's training but at the moment it doesn't feel like much of a consolation."
Richard Mathers believes this evening's clash at Knowsley Road could be the most meaningful game of the season so far.

The Wigan full-back, who has just signed a new contract, said: "This game is massive. If we win, we could still finish in fourth place and
grab a home tie in the play-offs.

"Lose and we might end up sixth facing a trip to France.

"It's certainly shaping up to be biggest of all our four games against St Helens this season. Saints aren't indestructible, but we need to match their intensity."

Winger Mark Calderwood is ruled out with a groin strain but Pat Richards and Phil Bailey return after injury. The game is not all-ticket and fans can pay on the turnstiles.

Saints coach Daniel Anderson has included Sam Thompson in place of injured Paul Sculthorpe, who dislocated his shoulder at Wembley.

Wigan (from): Mathers, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Barrett,
Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Bailey, Colbon, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, Prescott, Phelps, Tomkins, O'Carroll, Smith.

St Helens (from): Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Roby, Flannery, Graham, Hargreaves, Clough, Fa'asavalu, Eastmond, Thompson.
Referee: Ashley Klein.