Sean O'Loughlin in frame for Wigan return in Super League Grand Final
Friday 7 October 2016 15:15, UK
Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin could make a surprise comeback in Saturday's First Utility Super League Grand Final after returning to training this week.
O'Loughlin has not featured for the Warriors since August 5 due to a calf injury and was not included in the initial squad to face Warrington at Old Trafford.
However, Wigan head coach Shaun Wane has revealed he is still hoping to select the England international forward and will give him every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the game.
Wane told Sky Sports News HQ on Friday morning: "He's trained this week, he's trained this morning. We will have a look at him in the team run today and go through to the warm-up before the game and if he's good we will put him in. He's too valuable, he's too good a player."
Wane later paved the way for O'Loughlin's return by including him in a revised 19-man squad on Friday afternoon, with Academy forward Jack Wells making way.
Wigan have defied the odds to reach the Grand Final after being hit by a number of injuries this season and are looking to avoid a hat-trick of defeats at Old Trafford after completing the double in 2013 when they beat Warrington in the Grand Final.
"It would be our best ever [victory]," said Wane. "We have won a double - it would surpass that, it would be fantastic. The things we have been through this year have been unbelievable.
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"We have had some bad luck but the young players that have come in, I am so proud of them. We had 10 Wigan lads who have been through our system playing against Hull [in the semi-final] and it is going to be the same this week.
"So I am so proud of what we have done and our youth system, and I'm really pleased to get the chance to put them in."
Wane says his squad are well prepared to take on the Wolves and is relishing the chance to lead his hometown team out at Old Trafford once again.
"They've been fantastic this week," he said. "I've been really impressed, training has gone really well. We are going to have a good team run today and travel to our hotel and be very focused on tomorrow night.
"We have worked hard - me and all our staff - to make sure our team is prepared and gone into every detail of what Warrington do.
"We have spent a lot of time in the video room and a lot of time on the field and when you are stood there it is just a feeling of being proud.
"I'm born and bred Wigan and to lead my club out to another Grand Final, it is the best feeling in the world.
"I'm so proud of all those Wigan fans there and the Warrington fans. It's a great atmosphere and it's an unbelievably good stadium. It's just what you have worked all year for.
"It all comes down to that 80 minutes, so it's pressure and it's pressure that we thrive on. That's why I am looking forward to the game."
