Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors: Super 8s preview
Last Updated: 16/09/16 7:20pm
Kurt Gidley says he has moved on from his Wembley heartache and insists a fractured cheekbone will not prevent him from striving to help Warrington clinch top spot in the First Utility Super League.
The 34-year-old playmaker left the field after 58 minutes of the Wolves' Challenge Cup final defeat to Hull last month following a second clash of heads in as many minutes.
Gidley failed to return and sat out the next match against Catalans, but was back for last week's win over Widnes, and will be leading from the front in Friday's big derby against Wigan at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, live on Sky Sports 2.
"The eye is fine, it all healed up pretty well," Gidley said.
"It was nothing too major, a small fracture to the cheekbone but not enough to rule me out for more than a week.
"There's no more damage (that can be done) unless you cop the same blunt force to the same area. I broke my cheekbone earlier in the year and only missed a week.
"Those sort of things are more mental than physical once the doctor gives you the all-clear. I've had plenty of injuries in the past and I think muscle tears are probably the hardest ones to move on from."
Warrington were leading 10-0 at Wembley and would have been further in front had Gidley not missed a penalty kick at goal and a touchline conversion - which ultimately proved to be the difference between the teams.
The Wolves conceded two converted tries in Gidley's absence to see their treble hopes dashed, but rather than dwelling on that disappointment, the Australian is looking forward to helping his side pick up the two remaining trophies.
"I've done plenty of things that have been memorable in a good way and things in my career that haven't been so memorable," Gidley said.
"If I was living in the past my whole career, I wouldn't be where I am.
"It is what it is unfortunately, you can't change what happened in the Challenge Cup, I've moved on and I'm looking forward to this weekend and the league leaders opportunity. I've never won a minor premiership and I've never played in a Grand Final before so that opportunity is a great one too.
"We've got a great opportunity to finish as league leaders a week early and not worry about the following week. It's all there for us to achieve something we wanted to achieve this year. The ball is in our court.
"We know it's going to be a tough game. We've had some tough games with them already this year and we expect another one on Friday."
Warrington Wolves: Ryan Atkins, Daryl Clark, Ben Currie, Brad Dwyer, Rhys Evans, Kurt Gidley, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Benjamin Jullien, George King, Toby King, Declan Patton, Kevin Penny, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Matty Russell, Ashton Sims, Joe Westerman, Sam Wilde.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Joe Bretherton, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
Watch Warrington v Wigan on Sky Sports 2 from 7.30pm on Friday. Catch all the action for £6.99 with a NOW TV day pass.
