Proud Wane reveals more injury bad news

Centre Anthony Gelling and Morgan Escare have both been ruled out long-term from injuries suffered last week, he confirmed.

And two of his stand-in halfbacks against the Red Devils - Nick Gregson and Sam Powell - both suffered injuries which prevented them finishing the game.

Gregson was taken to hospital with a suspected broken jaw, while Powell limped out of the DW Stadium wearing a protective ‘moon-boot’. Wane, who was already without a dozen front-line stars including three other halfbacks, won’t know the severity of those injuries until tomorrow or Sunday.

Their injuries meant Wigan finished the game with only one halfback on the pitch - debutant Josh Woods, who isn’t even a part of their senior squad - as they rallied from 28-0 down to score three tries, and finish the match with their pride intact.

“All things considered, we’re okay,” said Wane. “I’m the worst-loser in the world but I was okay with that.

“We showed some desire, our young kids stood up well.

“I know Salford had a few out, but the fact we gave a good team a game... we had a dig, and I’m okay.

“At 28-0, I was a bit worried, but I knew we hadn’t thrown anything at them. We started to do that, we had a dig, and I’m not down in anyway.”

He praised Woods as well as hooker Josh Ganson, who played 80 minutes in only his second match.

“They were the reason we got a foothold in that game,” he said.

Confirming Escare and Gelling’s serious knee injuries, from a match in which Ben Flower ruptured his Achilles, he said: “Morgan’s messed up his knee, he’ll be out until next year.

“Gells will be a long-time, too. He needs another scan, we’ll have more idea then.”

It was Salford’s first ever win at the DW Stadium, sending them second of the Super League table.

Coach Ian Watson said: “We’re looking a good package as a team.

“We need to be ruthless. It is hard - it’s a talent in itself - but we shut-up a little bit and Wigan started running harder, and put us on the back foot.”

Wigan travel to Swinton in the Challenge Cup next Sunday. Micky McIlorum will return from suspension and Sean O’Loughlin will be back from England duty. “Hopefully Samoa go easy on him,” smiled Wane.