Greg Burke could return to the Wigan side this weekend as “major doubt” Sean O’Loughlin battles a knee injury.

The captain will have the joint scanned to assess the severity of the problem.

But Shaun Wane admits he is “a major doubt” for Sunday’s Super League clash at Wakefield.

While Burke would be a like-for-like replacement at loose forward, he was already in the frame for a return to the fold before O’Loughlin’s injury.

Having played in 11 of Wigan’s opening 12 matches, the 20-year-old was rested by Wane to protect him from over-exposure.

Prop Scott Taylor may also return after playing for Leigh on dual-registration for the past two weeks.

Wane, meanwhile, was hoping to discover this morning the extent of O’Loughlin’s injury, which he suffered in Sunday’s 20-16 victory against Leeds.

Sam Tomkins will take the captain’s role if he misses Sunday’s trip to Wakefield, as table-toppers Wigan seek a 12th straight win.

Welsh prop Gil Dudson will also see a specialist this week. His neck injury has taken longer to heal than originally hoped.


(I was unaware that Lockers had picked up a knock against Leeds, he seems to have been nursing this injury all season, i think now is the time for him to have an operation if he needs it rather than at the tail end of the year, hes been awesome this year, none the less we have a superb deputy in Greg Burke no qualms about his pedigree in Super League, should be a regular for me)

No problem resting him for Wakey and Widnes, but I'd hope he's fit again for Wire.

The only worry is the extent of the injury tbh. I couldn't give a monkeys if we rest him until our next 'must win' game against Widnes in the cup in July.

As long as it's no longer then that the impact on our chances of reaching Old Trafford will be minimal given our league position.

Tuson is a direct replacement for Lockers.

It will be pretty simple team selection. Tuson at loose Forward, Hughes on to bench, burke back in to the 19.

'Don't worry about a thing, cos everything is going to to be alright!

I'd prefer Wane to stick Burke straight back in at loose forward. He's a better 13 than Tuson as he hits harder and has better handling ability. Tuson has been doing quite well playing out wide so it makes sense to keep him there. Besides, Burke deserves to be brought back into the first team.

Id prefer Farrell at 13 than Tuson

We could move Farrell to loose forward and Tuson to second row. I'm hoping that Wigans most improved player (Ben Flower) gets a well earned rest soon.

This for me too. Get well soon Lockers! It's a long time till we'll really need him so let's hope they use the time to allow him to fully recover, even that Widnes game, although important, shouldn't be too difficult without him

Agree re flower. This weekend Id go;

Sam
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Powell
Smith
Crosby
Mcilorum
Mossop
Farrell
Hansen
Tuson

Burke
Taylor
Logan
Lauaki

Farrell is much better running onto passes than making them.

I'd keep him where he is.

Burke was in the Wakefield and Widnes squads regardless of Locky being injured or not









Just take my word for it.

Burke will go to Loose Forward - Mark my words.

Do you think it's a fair comparison, Flower with Andy Platt? I think Flower isn't in Platt's class yet, but if he carries on improving at this rate, who knows?

Flower is having a fantastic season after injury held him back last year.

Huge credit must go to him and especially the coaching staff for his improvement. I'd guess in pre season he'd have been most people's 5th or 6th choice prop yet now he'd be in most people's starting 13.

Great stuff.

Definitely, considering a lot of people thought we were going in to this season a prop or 2 short. I'm happy with any combination of Flower, Mossop, Dudson, Crosby, Taylor, Lauaki plus Spencer as back up, Powell coming in and possibly Prescott returning from injury.

I think towards the end of the season we should be looking to utilise 4 forwards from the bench and keep McIlorum on for 80 mins. I think Wane has managed the squad much better this season and McIlorum hasn't been flogged every game, plus the likes of Powell and Logan have gained valuable first team experience, but for me we definitely lose something when Mickey isn't on the field.

having players like logan and powell on the bench gives us something we havent had in a few years in the form of some adaptability. i agree that ideally mcilorum would stay on the field with 100% effort for the full 80 and while thats what he did for most of last year, not having done it in a while, i imagine hed require some easing into it.

I'd go with

Sam
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Powell
Smith
Crosby
McIlorum
Lauaki
Farrell
Hansen
Burke

Taylor
Spencer
Tuson
Logan

Give Flower & Mossop a rest. Possibly give Pat one as well.

How good is it having such a versatile and talented young squad! Even when our key players are injured, we have plenty options and the young lads coming in will do exactly what's asked of them. We've come a long way in the last few years.

Or you could argue that because he hasn't had to do it much this year, he'd be more fresh to stay on the field longer come the business end of the season.

He has a long way to go to get to the calibre of Andy Platt.

Having said that, Flower is a much improved forward for sure.

Play your u19s please it will be a closer game

Careful... You are making a case for a smaller SL...

We have some key players out through injuries. Happens to all teams.

REALLY!!!!... wow... Blimey we are touchy.