Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors team news as Matt Peet makes one change to 21-man squad
Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has made one change to his 21-man squad ahead of Friday’s trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to face neighbours Warrington Wolves.
Peet has been able to name key centre Jake Wardle in his 21-man squad for the first time since the opening round of the season, when Wardle sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury in their Round One win over Castleford Tigers.
The England international was initially ruled out for between 10 and 12 weeks, so he appears to have come back slightly earlier than first anticipated, and it will no doubt be a huge boost for the Warriors if Wardle is passed fit to face his former club Warrington on Friday evening.
Wardle replaces young winger Dayon Sambou in Wigan’s 21-man squad for the short trip over the North West. Sambou played in last Sunday’s 24-14 defeat to Castleford at the Brick Community Stadium, scoring from an incredible acrobatic finish in the corner, but the 21-year-old appeared to be struggling with a leg injury in the second half.
Meanwhile, Warrington will be without star man George Williams for their meeting with his former club Wigan. The England skipper sustained a neck injury in their 38-22 defeat to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan last Saturday, and has been sidelined ‘indefinitely’ while he recovers.
In addition, James Harrison faces eight to ten weeks on the sidelines, with the forward requiring ankle surgery after being forced off in the first half in the south of France.
Warrington: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, Marc Sneyd, Danny Walker, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Toafofoa Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther, Ewan Irwin, James Bentley, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Max Wood, Jake Thewlis, Ewan Smith, Kelepi Tanginoa.
Wigan: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Jonny Vaughan.
The Super League Round Nine fixture takes place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night, 8pm kick-off. The game will also be broadcast live on the Sky Sports + Channel.