Sam Tomkins and Sean O'Loughlin injury blows for Wigan

Wigan Warriors' full-back Sam Tomkins will not play again this season and skipper Sean O'Loughlin is also likely to join him on the sidelines for the club's bid for Grand-Final glory.

Tomkins, who missed last year's Test series against New Zealand and the first three months of this season with a knee injury, will undergo surgery early this week due to an ankle problem that will rule him out of the rest of the Super League season.

England captain O'Loughlin sustained a calf muscle injury in the warm-up to last Friday's game against Catalans Dragons that will likely prevent him from playing in either the Play-Offs semi-final or the Grand Final if Wigan progress.

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Both players were guaranteed to be in new England coach Wayne Bennett's squad for the international against France in Avignon on October 22 and the subsequent 2016 Four Nations Series.

"These are major disappointments for Sam and Sean, for Wigan Warriors and for England where they were hoping to be selected for the Four-Nations tournament," Wigans' chairman Ian Lenagan said.

"This season has thrown up bigger challenges with injuries than ever before. I'm proud to say we are still fighting fiercely and successfully as shown by the 12-man victory over Warrington last week and in Friday's performance against Catalans."

Already without a host of regulars including Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Tony Clubb and Joel Tomkins, Lenagan still insists confidence remains high after Shaun Wane's team secured second place in the Super League standings with a 48-24 victory over Catalans to set up a home semi-final at the DW Stadium on Friday.

"Currently, Wigan has only 20 players available from a first-team squad of 35 but there is a tremendous spirit and confidence among this Wigan group that thrives in adversity," the chairman added.

"That character and resilience, plus the ever-improving performances in defence - and growing effectiveness in attack - of our remaining first team and Academy players lays a great platform for the crucial next two weeks.

"Despite all of the challenges that the club have faced this year I, Shaun Wane, Kris Radlinski and the first-team squad believe that we can defy the odds to make this an excellent season-end for Wigan."