I've been told he is back in a couple of week's and people are saying he has had a setback I was just wondering if someone can put me straight !!??

Still a few weeks away going off what he's been saying on his Twitter. The CC match against Wire will come too soon for him. Ben Cross coming in suggests that there must be concerns about his return though, otherwise I doubt we'd have signed him.

Ok, Thanks it's because i've been told different stories that's all and just wanted to know which one was right !!

Well my honest answer is I don't know! All I'm saying is we wouldn't have bothered signing Cross if Madge and co were confident that Stu would be back and ready to go in a week or two so don't expect him back any time soon

Somebody asked him on twitter "will you be back for the Wire game and if not how long are you out for?" and the reply was "no and not sure".

That didn't sound too promising tbh. He said the set back was just him rushing and he needs to take it easier but it makes you wonder. He's obviously still got some problems with it and now it's just finding out how serious that is.

Not good new's !!

not had the 'major setback' that some are saying but the knee isn't right from what i'm told and its an ongoing concern and assessment...

no date for return

I have a horrible feeling this is going to be one of those where it drags on and he has to "regrettably announce his retirement due to ongoing injury problems"

I hope not but I have the feeling it will.

Got told tonight that he could be playing for the reserves at the weekend

So the reserves could be lining up with Fielden and Cross as their 2 starting props

Who do they play?

Wakefield
And O'Carroll on the bench

If we rest a few players on friday, we could be playing a stronger reserves team this weekend

Hoffman seem confident he will be back soon in his latest blog

"We’ve also got Stuart Fielden and Eamon O’Carroll also banging on the door and hoping to get a game soon."

I know its not the best of sources but www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-a ... _1_3571830 Says hes expected to be named in this weeks 19 man squad, so there could be some truth to him playing in the 20s this weekend? I think if both Fielden and Cross are in for a shout in the 20s we should put at least one in the first team, preferably Cross seeing as he isnt coming back from an injury.

I know its not the best of sources but www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-a ... _1_3571830 Says hes expected to be named in this weeks 19 man squad, so there could be some truth to him playing in the 20s this weekend? I think if both Fielden and Cross are in for a shout in the 20s we should put at least one in the first team, preferably Cross seeing as he isnt coming back from an injury.

I hope O Carroll doesn't play in the cup v. Wire, he'll get bashed all over the place by thier pack. NOT BIG ENOUGH.

Wow, we really are getting mixed messages about Stuart's return. Fingers crossed this latest news is correct and he will indeed return this week.

It'll be good to see him back.

In this weeks squad.

To say I'm surprised is an understatement after what I was told only last weekend.
Welcome back Stu (if he makes it)
Will be great to have him back!

What a great boost. Fielden back, Cross signed, Prescott should be fit soon, O Carroll close to returning, Coley and Lima playing superbly. Great options in the front row coming to the business end of the season. And with Hock improving week in week out we are looking strong in the pack which we are going to need to fend off the challenge of Wire and Saints.

Brilliant news !! I think we should play him if he is going to play next week aswell to get a game under his belt before the wire game !!!

He won't play v Wire after so long out unless the entire front row is out injured but IMO he is exactly the right kind of player to do well v Wire because he is aggressive when he runs the ball in and never takes a backward step.

Why has he been kept on by Wigan all this time when out injured if he was not big enough?

Dont forget Mossop!

thats a a great call, our best forward in recent weeks. what a pack

As I said, at some stage we could see a pack of Cross, McIlorum, Lima, Hock, Mossop and O'Loughlin on the pitch at the same time.

That's a big, bruising pack.

He has dropped out the squad for tomorrows game, and has tweeted today it will be a couple of weeks before he is playing.

Benjamin Cross will prob be on bench, blow the cobwebs off before the Dire game.