George Burgess given time to overcome hip injury before he plays for Wigan Warriors again

The prop - a marquee recruit for this season - has struggled to overcome the problem.

And it has impacted on his performances, limiting the number of minutes - and general contribution - the ex-England international has been able to make.

Coach Adrian Lam spoke to Burgess this week about having a spell on the sidelines in the hope he can return fit and firing.

Lam said: "He's agitated his hip, we met with him this week and said, 'We've got to get it right before you play again'.

"We've got to build up the area around it. The objective is to give him some time off and we'll see how it is each week, it could be two or three weeks - we'll hand that over to the medical staff.

"It's not ideal, but we'll support him and make sure he gets it right."

Lam hopes fans give the former Souths star their support as he attempts to overcome the problem.

"George is frustrated, he's disappointed he can't help us at the moment," said Lam. "I feel for him and all the players do, because he's a really nice guy and we enjoy his company.

"Here at the club and the staff, players, supporters, we need to get behind him to give him every opportunity to get it right and help us at the back end of the season."

Burgess wasn't due to play Catalans Dragons last Saturday but was drafted in when captain Sean O'Loughlin withdrew as a family member developed symptoms of Covid-19.

O'Loughlin has since tested negative and has been cleared to return for Saturday's quarter-final against Hull FC, in a BBC-televised, behind closed doors match at Salford (5pm kick-off).

But the unnamed player who missed the Dragons game after testing positive is still ruled out.