Iestyn Harris says Gareth Thomas will be fit to play for Wales in the Four Nations.
Experienced back expected to be fit for Four Nations
Gareth Thomas will be fit to play for Wales in the Four Nations Series, according to coach Iestyn Harris.
The 37-year-old former British Lion has been out since July with a broken arm and missed his initial target of making his comeback in Crusaders' final game of Super League at Wigan last Friday night.
However, Harris says the threequarter is close to full fitness and will join the national squad in camp next month to prepare for Wales' warm-up game against Ireland in Neath on Saturday, October 22, and their opening Four Nations clash with England in Leigh a week later.
"He's maybe a week away from full fitness," said Harris, who opted not to rush Thomas back for Crusaders' last match.
"It was pointless risking him for the last game of the year and him breaking down again.
"In the next month he'll be fully fit and he'll be ready for the training camp with Wales."
Thomas, who won 100 caps for his country in rugby union, made his international debut in the 13-man code against Italy 12 months ago and captained Wales to a 12-11 win over France in the European Cup in Albi last October, a result that elevated them to the Four Nations.
Warrington stand-off Lee Briers, who missed that match through injury, is expected to regain the captaincy for the games against England, New Zealand and Australia.
Plans
Meanwhile, Thomas has yet to announce his plans for the future following the withdrawal of Crusaders from Super League.
In June he reversed an earlier decision to retire by signing a new contract for the Wrexham club for 2012 and is currently being linked with a shock move to Wigan.
Harris, who is also expected to move to Wigan as assistant coach, declined to shed any light on the mystery. "You'll have to ask him," he said.
Virtually every member of the Crusaders squad have now secured moves to other Super League clubs for next year.
Four of the players - Lloyd White, Frank Winterstein, Rhys Hanbury and Hep Cahill - are joining Super League new boys Widnes, while three others - Clinton Schifcofske, Adam Peek and Paul Johnson - are all hanging up their boots.
The retirement of the 32-year-old Johnson is set to leave Keith Senior as the only ever-present throughout the Super League era, as long as he finds a new club for 2012.
The veteran Leeds centre had signed a two-year contract with Crusaders after deciding to play on despite having his 2011 season curtailed by a knee injury.
