Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils: Preview

Friday night at the DW Stadium pits third against fifth in a match with importance for both sides; more so the Wigan side entering the match after a drubbing at the hands of Castleford. Salford beat Widnes at home 30-10 to make it five wins from six and they will fancy their chances against an injury ravaged Warriors outfit.

The Champions are without 14 first-teamers, skipper Sean O’Loughlin will be with the England squad in Samoa whilst the ever-growing injury list was most recently added to by the competitions form player George Williams. Anthony Gelling was also injured at Castleford as was Ben Flower, who ruptured an achilles tendon in the 54-4 defeat last Saturday. Michael McIlorum will also miss the match after receiving a one-match ban for standing on an opponent (Jake Webster) during their defeat in Yorkshire.

Salford will be without Todd Carney, Mark Flanagan, George Griffin and Craig Kopczak as well as the suspended Justin Carney, who received an eight-match ban for racially abusing a Toronto Wolfpack player in their Challenge Cup tie last month. They welcome in Connor Williams, Josh Wood and Liam Bent, with full-back Niall Evalds set to continue after impressive on his return during the victory against the Vikings.

The Red Devils will want to get revenge on the Warriors after falling 26-10 at home to Shaun Wane’s side at the start of this season. Ian Watson and his charges no there is no better time to face the Champions with most of their key players sitting on the sideline.

Wigan Squad: Bretherton, Burgess, Davies, Farrell, Fell, Forsyth, Ganson, Gregson, Isa, Marshall, Navarrete, Nuuausala, Powell, Sutton, Tautai, Tierney, J Tomkins, Wells, Woods.

Salford Squad: Bent, Bibby, Brining, Dobson, Evalds, Johnson, Jones, Krasniqi, Lannon, Lui, Mossop, Murdoch-Masila, Murray, Tasi, Tomkins, Walne, Welham, Williams, Wood.

Referee: Chris Campbell

Touch-judges: S Kilpatrick and P Graham