Wigan Warriors boss discusses potential Jake Wardle and Ethan Havard returns with Dayon Sambou injury update provided
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet says key duo Jake Wardle and Ethan Havard are in with a chance of returning in Friday’s clash with Warrington Wolves – but young winger Dayon Sambou is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Peet has been able to name strike centre Wardle in his 21-man squad for the first time since Super League’s opening round, when he sustained a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury in their win over Castleford Tigers.
"There’s a good chance that he’ll play,” Peet said in his pre-match press conference. “I think this will be the first (week) that he’s completed the sessions, once he gets through our last session.
"He was in elements of training last week as well, and he has been doing his work with the physios, and he seems excited. Physically, he looks excellent, but he did at the start of the season. I think he was really frustrated to miss out after Round One at Castleford, but the good thing is that he’s got a lot of work done physically and, coming out of the international programme (last autumn), we feel that will stand him in good stead."
Asked how big a miss he has been during his 10 weeks out, Peet replied: “He’s a good player, and we’ve been stretched in certain positions, so it’s for you to evaluate that, but I’m glad he’s back.
"I know how good he is. I’ve always been desperate to bring him to the club, and he’s played really well whilst he’s been at the club, so when he’s not there, you’d like to have him back. But it’s not an excuse, the players we’ve had in are of quality to perform and get results, and there are a lot of teams in Super League who have had injuries as well, so you’ve got to withstand them better than we have.”
Havard has again been included in Wigan’s 21-man squad this week. The England international missed the Challenge Cup quarter-final win over Wakefield Trinity through concussion protocol, and was a late withdrawal ahead of last week’s defeat to Castleford Tigers after pulling up with a calf injury in the team’s last session.
"He’s a chance,” Peet replied when asked of Havard’s chances of playing against Warrington. “We’ve got a bit of a run tomorrow (Thursday), so we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, there is less positive news for young winger Sambou, who is set for a spell in the treatment room after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury in last week’s defeat to Castleford.
“He did his PCL – he won’t have an operation, but he is going to be in a brace for a few weeks at least,” said Peet.
"Dayon played very tough last week. I thought he did a good job, and he can be proud of his performance. He did it very early in the game, but he was determined to play on, and then the scans confirmed that he was playing through a decent injury to his PCL.
“We know what he’s capable of. I thought his try was a great moment, well set up by Zach (Eckersley), but he carried tough as well, big metres and plenty of involvement.”
Peet also paid tribute to the job Liam Farrell has done in recent months, with the Warriors skipper filling the void in the left centre spot in the absence of Wardle, who looks set to return this week.
“He’s a fantastic leader – selfless,” Peet said. “I think it shouldn’t be underestimated how difficult it is what he’s done and how well he’s coped with it, and it’s probably got missed some weeks because results haven’t gone our way and our performances haven’t been where they needed to be, but what Faz brings to the group, we’re certainly better for having him, for sure, and I think he can be very proud of what he’s been doing recently.”
The Super League Round Nine fixture takes place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night, 8pm kick-off.