Warrington Wolves boosted by news that Chris Sandow will not require surgery

Warrington Wolves have received a boost on the injury front with the news Australian playmaker Chris Sandow will not require surgery on his injured hamstring.

The former Parramatta scrum-half was in outstanding form, taking the First Utility Super League player of the month award for both February and March, when he tore a hamstring in Wolves' win at Wigan on April 1.

Sandow has been advised by a specialist that he does not need to undergo surgery though the injury is expected to keep him out for another two months.

"The first scan after two weeks is showing healing of the ligament, which is fantastic news," said Warrington coach Tony Smith.

"Had that not come back really positive, he would have had to have an operation and a four-month lay-off.

"The next big moment will be four weeks in when we get it scanned again and hopefully it shows more repair.

"We're not sure how long it takes but it's not going to be a four or five-week injury, it's going to be an eight, nine, 10-week sort of injury if it goes well and the signs so far are that it's going well."

Sandow has been replaced in the Warrington starting line-up by utility back Stefan Ratchford but Smith admits his first-choice scrum-half was sorely missed during back-to-back defeats to St Helens and Huddersfield.

"You miss somebody special like that," Smith said. "He was red hot, the stand-out player in Super League, but you've got to make do. You've got to get the next lot doing the job.

"The last couple of weeks have been a kick up the backside for us in some areas. We need not just one or two but people across the board, to pick it up."

The defeat to St Helens prompted Smith to drop summer signing Tom Lineham and the former Hull winger will again be absent when Warrington take on Widnes in another derby at the Select Security Stadium on Friday.

"If one or two players didn't make it because of injury, I'd have to use Tom," Smith said. "He played reserve grade on Saturday and didn't set the world on fire and he needs to set the world on fire."

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