Who's he staring out on that picture - I'm guessing whoever it was had to change their grundies shortly afterwards!

I have to say i though under the new regime at wigan i thought he'd be long gone for drugs offences.

and i thought he should be. that said everyone deserves a second chance and if his conduct has been good since then RL should welcome the lad back and say no more about it

he'll add a lot to your pack imo

The lad has been banned for two years for snorting coke. He's hardly got off lightly. Letting him train with the team two months before the ban ends so that he's match fit isn't the start of a slippery slope at all. He still can't compete, which is what it's all about.

I understand that Hock has been training recently with St Cuthberts. As I was told it wasnt a very demanding workout, but before the end of the session he was flagging. It seems he has a lot of work to do before he gets match fit again. I wish him well , and I do think we need a fit Hock back in the team, but seem to be missing him more this season than last. I just hope it doesnt disrupt the team.

Wigan were going to get rid initially until wire shown interest in him, so they decided to keeping paying him to try and keep in shape! I've heard he has bulked up alot and may be used as a front rower now!

We can't pay him.

I didnt think they were paying him either but I heard they fixed him up with the personal trainer and helped him find some kind of work while he was away from the game (not directly with the club though)

Hopefully it'll be sorted and he can have basically a pre season with Wigans fitness team aswell as getting to know his team mates and the teams new style of play.

If this gets the thumbs up he will be allowed to do almost a full pre season fitness programme under madge, wane and bitcon supervsion.

He will be raring to go in june if that is allowed, ( subject to not getting injured)

Debut against hudds too if that rfl story is anything to go by that could be an important part of the season tbh.

i know you cant pay him but thats not saying your not in some capacity! Just what i've heard from a wigan fan at work

Anyone wondering what Hock has been up to over the last two years, as well as the role that Wigan have played in his rehabilitation, should give this a read www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ma ... k-drug-ban

Anyone wondering what Hock has been up to over the last two years, as well as the role that Wigan have played in his rehabilitation, should give this a read www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ma ... k-drug-ban

For those that haven't seen it, here's a good article about the Hock situation.
[urlhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/03/wigan-gareth-hock-drug-ban[/url

*ahem*

It's been a long day.

REALLY???

That sounds like a reliable source........

Have you informed the RFL of this bomshell? I am b00dy outraged!!!

So how can he be afforded on the cap then?

Last time IL spoke he even said we had spare quota space and money if we needed to use it , so I think he's got Hock covered don't you

Because there's enough space perhaps?

No I don't. Surely a player of Hocks stature even after a ban will still command a good wage, and even if Wigan were to say offer him a modest salary, i'm sure there would be a few clubs who could offer him close to what he was on before. With the quality additions you added to you squad this season I just can't see how you, or any of the top 4 or 5 clubs maybe even more could afford that sort of wages.

Perhaps he's not earning as much as you think. He might not be on a high salary for the remainder of this season since he's just returning from a ban and probably won't be at his best but could earn more in the following seasons when players like Coley and Carmont are off contract.

Ok well we have and he his going to be playing for us the caps live so no 1 can over there cap . Simples

He was an international, probably one of your top earners, but maybe your right maybe a small wage this year for a hike next year. Quality player and will probably just take you out of reach this year.

No of course they can't that's impossible isn't it

How did your team manage to get Lee Smith under the cap at the back end of last season (without releasing anyone)???