Wigan v Harlequins: Teams
Wigan are without injured half-back Tim Smith for the visit of Harlequins to the JJB Stadium.
Last Updated: 03/07/09 10:19pm
Wigan are without injured half-back Tim Smith for the visit of Harlequins to the JJB Stadium on Friday night.
The former National Rugby League star looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder in the Warriors' 36-28 victory at Hull KR last weekend.
Martin Gleeson, signed from Warrington earlier this season, missed that win at Craven Park, but is expected to be fit to take on the Londoners, meanwhile.
Young loose forward Mark Flanagan also comes into Brian Noble's 19-man squad, having made his first-team debut in the loss to the Celtic Crusaders on June 13.
The Warriors are currently four points behind their opponents in the table and with just nine fixtures in the regular season remaining, will want to continue their push up the standings.
Wigan triumphed 24-18 at the Stoop earlier in the season and the Warriors will expect to do the double over their opponents again on Friday night.
Landmark
Australian second-rower Chad Robinson is back in contention for Harlequins after missing two months out following knee surgery.
Jason Golden misses out with an ankle injury, while Luke Dorn and top points scorer Rob Purdham remain sidelined.
Chad Randall is also set for his 100th consecutive appearance as the Londoners look to bounce back from two straight defeats.
The last of which was a 20-18 loss at Wakefield and, with the play-offs in the not too distant future, coach Brian McDermott will want to see his side recapture the form that took them to a 40-10 win at Hull KR on June 12.
Wigan squad: Roberts, Carmont, Richards, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Bailey, O'Loughlin, J Tomkins, Coley, Hansen, McIlorum, Prescott, Pryce, Phelps, S Tomkins, Flanagan, Gleeson.
Harlequins squad: Clubb, Gafa, Gale, Gardner, Haggerty, Heckenberg, Howell, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, O'Callaghan, Orr, Randall, Robinson, Sharp, Skee, Temata, Ward, Wells, Williamson.