Its the agility that seems to be lost from an achiles injury not just being able to run. Though in Pats favour imo agility isnt his game, its his long stride that gives him his pace, and size that makes him a threat

One of the players tweeted pat last week saying '' you looked sharp in training''

Couldn't agree more. Just stating that that was what he was doing, and took it was a good sign that he is progressing. I don't know the exact stage he is up to with his rehab. If he is only 2-3 weeks away (rumour) then I'd imagine that he is doing more than just treadmill running?

He doesnt need to run.

He just needs to collect high balls on our line and their line.. and were fine.

[urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/11/03/29/RUGBYL_Column.html&BID=480[/url

'Richards is now close to completing his rehabilitation and is pencilled in to make his return against Catalan Dragons at the DW Stadium on Friday week.'



great news! Dont think he will be risked unless he and Madge think he's ready- so if he's saying he's not far off then I think there's a good chance we'll see him back soon!

Anybody notice this at the bottom

Richards, who was a member of the Ireland team that went within 80 minutes of the semi-finals at the 2008 World Cup, is now in his sixth season in England and has already held tentative talks about extending his stay at Wigan.

"I originally came for two years but I'm enjoying it," he said.

"I'm out of contract this season but hopefully we can sort something out."

Just seen this in the sky website saying he might be back on friday (right at the bottom). Can't see it myself though

[urlhttp://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_6841137,00.html[/url

Cant see anywhere there where it says anything about Pat?

Can't see anything relating to Pat there at all. Only player mentioned is Finch

Catalan game according to this.
[urlhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=21582[/url

I hope Maguire doesn't continue to persist with Marsh at right centre when Pat is fit. Charnley should be straight in there in my opinion.

WTF just checked and it has been edited. Wished I'd copied the section now

anyone reckon with Charnley out this week (playing U20's) we may see a sneaky Pat inclusion?

I saw the article before it was edited and it definitely said Pat was expected to be back. As you said cant see it and that's probably been pointed out to SkySports now and its been taken out.

No it'll be Roberts on the wing and Sam still at full back

Pat in u20 this week

not long now till he s back

Damn, I'd like to get to that game, but Sunday at 12.00 is a struggle to get there in time.

Especially mothers day!

Info on Pat and O'Carrol here [urlhttp://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/pat_s_back_1_3234623[/url

That's good news - especially that he's been practising goal kicking too, which is a good sign for the injury if that part of his game is ok too.

Good news all around then!

Newlove, great player, was very unlucky to get that injury but since then medical procedures have changed dramatically. What Pat suffered, would a few years ago, have ended his career. Apparently, he's responded very well to treatment and should recover enough to play pro league again. As for him being as good as he was, I think it'll be the end of the season before we see the best of him.

Sorry Nikos, I think Finch fully fit will be a massive asset for us but on Friday he way off the pace. In Madge we do trust and his options were limited but I'd have tried the young bloke out of the under 20's as a starter, with Finch on the bench.

One of the things from last year was how we did give younger players a chance and how well they responded. Just hope that we don't go back to playing people just because they are a big name signing.

It would have been just as much, in fact probably more, of a risk to give a young player a starting debut against Warrington than it was to play a 200 game NRL veteran who has played representative RL coming back from an injury whom the clubs medical team had decided was now fit to play. Lockers at 6 with Finch on the bench, as it looks like will happen this week, would have been the way to go imo.

We learned again last week that ours is an experienced man's game.
Wire played 10 forwards and eight are over 30.
We had one over 30.
Our back line was very youthfull, too youthfull could be argued.
Sam, Goulding, Marsh, George and Charnley. Only one senior player.
This week Mcguire has gone for experience with Sam, Amos, Joel, George, & Goulding. Next week Goulding could go and Pat come in.
Backs of Sam, Amos, Joel, George & Pat is a whole lot different than the lads who faced Wire.
That last lot of backs could be there as long as their fitness and form stand up.
Pat is a points machine and it also could arguably they would be the best backs in the League! Marsh, Goulding & Charnley may only appear when injuries occur.