Wigan will be without off-season recruit Brett Finch for the start of the new Super League campaign.
Australian half-back damages neck in pre-season training
Wigan will be without off-season recruit Brett Finch for the start of the new Super League campaign.
Finch, who joined the Warriors alongside Ryan Hoffman and Jeff Lima from Melbourne Storm, damaged his neck in pre-season training.
The 29-year-old half-back will now undergo surgery to correct the injury.
"The news is a blow to the club and the player and, as yet, we are unsure of how long he will be on the sidelines but he will miss the start of the 2011 season," said Warriors coach Michael Maguire.
"Brett is a great character and we know he will be looking to bounce back as soon as possible."
Goal-kicking winger Pat Richards, the 2010 Man of Steel, will also miss the start of the new season on February 12 due to a ruptured Achilles suffered in October's Grand-Final win over St Helens.
Centre Martin Gleeson and utility back Sam Tomkins will also not be available for the Cherry and Whites' pre-season friendly with Salford on Sunday.
"We will also be missing Martin Gleeson and Sam Tomkins for Sunday's game at the Willows," Maguire added.
"Martin has a slight calf strain while Sam has a minor groin problem. We are also obviously without Pat Richards but Paddy is making good progress with his Achilles problem."
Wigan are, however, set to give debuts to Hoffman and Lima at the Willows after the two new recruits were included in a 20-man squad.
