Warriors injury blow: Manfredi out for season

Dom Manfredi won't play again this year.
Dom Manfredi was injured in Wigan's loss to Castleford last FridayDom Manfredi was injured in Wigan's loss to Castleford last Friday
Dom Manfredi was injured in Wigan's loss to Castleford last Friday

His worst fears have been realised after a scan confirmed he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.

He will be given a likely recovery time-frame early this week, but he is resigned to a lengthy lay-off.

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Manfredi will miss Wigan’s remaining five Super-8s games, and potentially the play-off semi-final and Grand Final. He had been among the players who met with new England coach Wayne Bennett in mid-season, but this setback has ruined any hopes of making his Test debut in the Four Nations.

Coach Shaun Wane said: “It’s a huge blow for Dom, but we will support him all the way.”

His injury - suffered under a heavy, but legal, tackle by Rangi Chase in Friday’s 36-22 loss at Castleford - is also a blow to Wigan.

The 22-year-old was rewarded with a starting number this season, and he has frequently caught the eye during his 25 appearances this season.

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It will provide little comfort, but Manfredi at least knows what is in store on his long road back to fitness, having spent three years out of the game as a youngster due to successive knee injuries.

Lewis Tierney would appear the obvious candidate to step into his wing role.

But with centre Anthony Gelling returning from injury on Friday, it nudged Oliver Gildart out of the frame.

And while Gildart is predominantly a centre, he has played on the wing before.

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Wane revealed he had a handful of other “bumps and bruises” from Friday’s defeat which will be assessed when the players return to training today.

Wigan face St Helens this Friday with officials hoping for a bumper crowd at the DW Stadium.

The game is being marketed as the “rematch” following Saints’ 23-4 win a month ago. Wigan won the Good Friday derby 24-12.