Wigan Warriors duo set to return for Huddersfield Giants trip as injury update provided

Wigan Warriors are set to welcome back Jai Field and George Marsden for Friday’s trip to Huddersfield Giants, head coach Matt Peet has confirmed.

Field missed Wigan’s 30-18 win over Warrington Wolves at the Brick Community Stadium last Friday, having been a late withdrawal with a minor back injury, which saw youngster Josh Cartwright come into the side at fullback.

Meanwhile, young halfback George Marsden is in contention to feature this week following a period on the sidelines through head injury protocol following a recent reserves game.

Providing the latest news on the injury front in his weekly press conference, Peet said: “There are a few lads who haven't trained today - just banged up - I won't name names, but there's nothing outside of the ordinary.

“We get George Marsden and Jai Field back, which will allow us to get different people back in their positions.

“It's still early in the week, but we shouldn't be too much different (to the Warrington game), other than that.”

Meanwhile, Peet provided a positive update on experienced winger Liam Marshall, who hasn’t featured since an away defeat to Warrington on April 24 due to a hamstring injury.

“Not this week, there is a chance for next week (against St Helens) if he carries on progressing the way he should,” Peet said.

The Warriors have been doing it particularly tough on the injury front over the last month or so, which has seen academy graduates Taylor Kerr, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Shea O’Connor, Austin Daniel, Nathan Lowe, George O’Loughlin and Cartwright feature for the first-team.

“It's not really felt like backs to the wall,” he said. “I think if you look at the competition, there are teams that have been in worse shape or are in worse shape, or coming out on either side.

“You've just got to keep your head down and trust in what you've done in pre-season and trust the way you try to play the games is the right one and keep moving forward, keep trying to improve.

“I always say it about a Wigan team photo... you'll look back on it in years gone by, because there'll be players in our squad numbers 30 to 35 that are on it who'll go on to have outstanding careers, but at the start of this year, not everyone would have been able to recognise them.

“It is really satisfying to watch that unfold and help the lads develop, working with them, the work they’re doing in the gym, on the field or in the meeting room. Even though we’re working at the top end of the game, we still think of ourselves as a player development environment, so I don’t think that will ever change.”

Wigan made it 10 wins from 11 matches last weekend, when a youthful side, featuring 12 academy graduates, claimed a hard-fought win over Warrington in their first game back at the Brick Community Stadium in almost two months.

And for Peet, it was a proud night for the club for many reasons.

“I think it’s always a highlight for people at the club when they see a young player have a good game, score a try and take the next stage of their career - there were a few examples of that on the same night, and we were against a good team as well,” Peet added.

“Very, very proud of the performance. To get the result makes it even better, I thought the fans were on a top note. We just had a really positive feeling about the night, and I actually think the fans were a massive part of the performance.

“We were far from perfect, and there are things that we need to improve, but there was a lot to like about the character of the team.”