Warriors v Hull: Teams

Tom Briscoe: set to continue at full-back in the absence of Richard Horne

Darrell Goulding: was badly concussed in Wigan's win over Castleford last Friday

Wigan can move a step closer to securing the Super League leaders' shield with a home victory over Hull on Friday night, live on Sky Sports.

The Cherry and Whites currently sit three points clear of nearest rivals Warrington, with the Wolves facing a tricky derby away at St Helens on Monday night before then hosting the Warriors next.

Yet there is some hope for Tony Smith's squad in the race to finish top as Wigan are currently struggling with injuries.

Coach Shaun Wane will be without six first-teamers, including skipper Sean O'Loughlin and half-back Brett Finch, for the game with the Airlie Birds.

Badly concussed

Centre Darrell Goulding is also absent after being badly concussed in last Friday's 40-16 win over Castleford while Thomas Leuluai and Pat Richards are long-term absentees, though the duo are nearing a return to action ahead of the play-offs.

With so many out Wane has turned to some of the club's rising stars - teenage stand-off Sam Powell is set to make his debut while Jack Hughes will come into the centres to take Goulding's place.

"We need to go into the play-offs with a lot of momentum and it starts this weekend," the Wigan coach said. "At the back of my mind it's Warrington the week after but I'm desperate to win this game.

"It's a big game for us, although we probably won't be at our best this week because we've a few injuries."

Hull, meanwhile, could move up to fifth in the table if they can upset the Warriors, though they haven't tasted victory on their last six trips to the DW Stadium.

Horne out

England winger Tom Briscoe is likely to continue at full-back after switching into the role in last Sunday's 34-26 win over Salford when Richard Horne pulled out with a groin injury.

Black and Whites boss Peter Gentle is hoping his side's recent run of success - they have won two on the spin to cement themselves firmly in the play-off positions - can continue on their travels.

"We don't want to be making up the numbers," he said. "We want to show we're in with a chance of winning the comp.

"Defensively we need to be a lot better. We're playing against the best team in the competition."

Gentle is sweating over the fitness of hooker Danny Houghton and forward Richard Whiting, though both have been named in his 19-man squad.

Wigan: S. Tomkins, Charnley, Carmont, McIlorum, Mossop, Hansen, Hock, O'Loughlin, Lima, Farrell, Tuson, Lauaki, Hughes, Powell, Crosby, Murphy, Lloyd, Thornley, Smith.

Hull: Aspinwall, T. Briscoe, Foster, Green, Houghton, Heremaia, Lineham, Lynch, Manu, Nicklas, O'Meley, Pitts, Seymour, McGoldrick, Turner, Westerman, Watts, Whiting, Yeaman.

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