Hi all,

We seemed to have quite a few injuries occurring on Friday night.

Riddell
S. Tomkins
McIlorum
Coley

Also believe Hanson is injured, correct me if I’m wrong.

Anybody know the status of the injury situation? If long term who do you believe will cover these positions?

Riddell didn't look good. McIlorum would probably come in if he's fit and Deacon on the bench.
Tomkins just got a knock to the head I believe.
Coley didn't look good either so Feka or Mossop could play prop.

Fielden was limping heavily yesterday at Orrell.

Riddell (Potential Hamstring) - A worry, could be out a few weeks.

S. Tomkins (Head injury/concussion & rumoured thigh injury) - Maguire stated ok to play next Friday.

McIlorum (Large gash to head) - Patch him up, should be ok.

Coley (Ankle twist/knock) - Depends how he fares in training, shouldn't be too serious. Feka is back up.

Hansen - Not heard anything????

Phelps - Leg injury, shouldn't be too long away. Cover - Goulding & Ainscough (if needed).

Coley and Piggy are the two main worries as we don't have quality back up for them. I'm worried about our go forward if both are out.

Mcilorum will be fine as all he needs to wear is a head guard. Sam should be fine although i think he will be due a rest after the Wakey game.

Hansen should be OK.

TBH, I've seen this squad at full strength play absoloutely shíte without Maguire so whatever team we put out i have every confidence that Madge can get the best and more out of them, so injurys dont really worry me at the moment.

For the first time in a long time I am confident our performances can be maintained even if we have a couple of injuries to key players.

If Coley and Riddell do miss out I look forward to whoever comes in rises to the challenge of keeping a first team shirt.

feka has a chance now to get his firts team spot back . we have some good kids who will give it their all for wigan.

If Riddell is out I wouldn't go with Deacon at hooker. Defensively he is not up to it in this position. Okay, it worked well switching him round with Tommy against Warrington in terms of go forward, but defensively he was missing tackles constantly & threw a few poor passes. One which led to Joel Tomkins to knock on and Warrington to nearly win the match.

So if Riddell is out I would go with Tommy and McIlorum at nine and Deacon to partner Tomkins.

As for Andy Coley I think we might go with Mossop at prop to replace him and use Liam Farrell as the extra second row. Unless of course Harrison Hansen is fit. Although I would like to see Feka in the frame.

Tough team selection for me for next week. If Cameron Phelps is back does he come straight back in the side? Who should drop out? Goulding? If so why? It's a great headache for MaGuire to have. Our backs could go something like:

Phelps
Roberts
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards

or

Roberts
Goulding
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards

I'm not sure which one to go for. If Phelps is not fully fit then I would go for the second lineup, but if he is fit then I think we have to go with our strongest lineup which is the first one.

Good news.

You're dead right about the youngsters - they are great to see and much as Feka is a crowd pleaser I would rather have our young players with their desire to win and enthusiasm any day of the week than the short spells we get from Feka, the younger guys may not have the experience of some of the older players but will learn quickly under Madge and Sean's guidance and is all good stuff regarding the future of the team in general.