Injury setback for Wigan Warriors prop

Wigan look like being without Ben Flower until the Super League play-offs after the big prop went under the knife for clean-up surgery on his knee.
Ben FlowerBen Flower
Ben Flower

The Welshman only returned at the weekend against Hull KR after a lengthy lay-off with a back problem.

And coach Adrian Lam is retaining a pragmatic approach after a campaign dogged by injuries across the board.

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“I got the news, and I didn’t even flinch – because I’m used to it by now,” Lam mused.

“You’re just thinking: ‘Here we go again’, and that’s the way it’s gone.

“It’s not the same injury – it was his back before, this time it’s his meniscus, his knee.

“He’s gone into clean up a bit of cartilage, and hopefully that’ll be right.

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“It is what it is. If we can just get to the semis in one piece, we feel we might be okay.”

Winger Joe Burgess – who scored his 100th try for the club last weekend – is also a major concern ahead of Friday night’s visit of second-placed Warrington with a pectoral problem.

“Joe’s doubtful,” admitted Lam. “We’ll give him until the captain’s run to see if he’s okay.”

That could mean a first start in cherry and white for Bevan French, who dipped his toe into the water off the bench against Hull KR.

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Lam is expecting a tough test from a Warrington side who have the small matter of a Challenge Cup final against St Helens to come on Saturday week.

“We feel they’re going to play their strongest team,” Lam added. “And we hope they do to be fair. I don’t see them coming with a weakened team at all.”