Jake Wardle offered Wigan Warriors return hope after calf injury - ‘A chance for the back end’

Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet says Jake Wardle has a ‘chance’ of returning for the ‘back end’ of the season after suffering a calf injury.

The England international was a notable absentee from Wigan’s 40-8 victory over Leeds Rhinos on Saturday night after sustaining the injury in training last week.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Peet says the strike centre has a ‘chance’ of returning for the ‘back end’ of the campaign.

“He’s pulled his calf - grade two,” said Peet. ”I think I said five weeks on the telly before the game, but it might be four. He’s a chance for the back end.”

Wardle’s absence meant Peet had to shuffle his side around, with youngster Austin Daniel brought onto the wing and Zach Eckersley switching to centre.

The changes did little to disrupt the Warriors, with centre Adam Keighran scoring a hat-trick and kicking six goals for a 24-point haul as Wigan moved to the top of the Super League table.

“He’s been playing well – him and Jake,” Peet said when asked about Keighran’s performance.

“In our last game (against Hull KR), I came away thinking our centres are playing well, then we lose Jake, but I’m just in a blessed position to call upon someone like Austin and move Zach, and the players just keep responding positively.”

Wigan’s Luke Thompson also went down with cramp in the latter stages at Leeds, although Peet played down concerns over the experienced prop.

“Yeah there were a few,” Peet added. “I gave them a long weekend last weekend, so there were a few that had cramp, but I think both teams (did), with the intensity of the game, maybe, but just get some pickle juice!”

Wigan will secure the League Leaders’ Shield if they beat Catalans Dragons at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Peet insists their dominant win over Leeds will not carry any psychological weight heading into the play-offs.

“Absolutely not, no,” Peet said. “I think we played well, but Leeds will have learned a lot - they were unfortunate with the injury (to Lachie Miller) at the start.

“They’ve got some players to come back, they’ll go away and come back better, I’m sure, so we have to be prepared to keep improving as well.”