Super League preview: Wigan Warriors v Widnes Vikings

Gareth Hock: will sit out his second successive match for the Vikings

Sam Tomkins: Missed the defeat at Leeds with a dead leg suffered in training

Wigan are expected to have Sam Tomkins back in their side for Saturday's clash with Widnes at the DW Staidum.

The full-back missed the Warriors' defeat to Leeds last Friday with a dead leg but coach Shaun Wane has included the England international in his 19-man squad for the Sky live fixture.

Tomkins has been a spectator for both defeats suffered by the Cherry and Whites this season, also sitting out the 22-10 reverse to Huddersfield in round three due to a shoulder problem.

His return will be a boost for a Wigan squad that is currently beset by injuries - Gil Dudson became the latest name to join the already lengthy casualty list when he broke a bone in his hand against the Rhinos.

Fellow Welshman Rhodri Lloyd has been called up as Dudson's replacement, while youngster Greg Burke could be handed a starting berth in the front row.

Wigan fans will know all about some of the Widnes players, with several of the visitors having previously played for the Cherry and Whites.

However one familiar face who will not be in action at the DW is Gareth Hock; although he has now served a one-match ban the Vikings are not allowed to play the forward as part of the loan deal between the two clubs.

Still, the pack will be boosted by the return of Hep Cahill after he did not travel for last weekend's game against Catalan Dragons to be with his pregnant wife.

"Wigan against Widnes is a good fixture going back to my playing days," Wane told Wigan's official website.

"They have some exciting players, obviously Joe Mellor was here, he was a good player it is good to see him back, Ben Kavanagh, Jon Clarke are all ex -Wigan players, there is some real talent and we won't take this game lightly.

"We have prepared well and we will be fresh and ready on Saturday."

Wigan: Burke, Charnley, Crosby, Lloyd, Farrell, Flower, Goulding, Green, Hughes, McIlorum, O'Loughlin, Powell, Richards, Smith, Taylor, Thornley, L. Tomkins, S. Tomkins, Tuson.

Widnes: Ah Van, Allen, Briscoe, Cahill, Clarke, Cross, Dean, Flynn, Gerrard, Hanbury, Isa, Joseph, Kavanagh, Leuluai, Mellor, O'Carroll, Pickersgill, White, Winterstein.

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