Wigan duo recalled as injuries hit

Wigan have recalled Darrell Goulding and Lee Mossop from loan spells in response to an injury crisis at the JJB Stadium.

The Warriors on Monday ruled out stand-off Tim Smith for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury while skipper Sean O'Loughlin, hooker Michael McIlorum and second rower Harrison Hansen face lengthy spells on the sidelines after being hurt in Friday's 40-12 victory over Harlequins.

O'Loughlin and McIlorum will be out for up to six weeks with knee injuries and Hansen could be out for longer if initial fears of a broken hand are confirmed.

Smith damaged his shoulder in Wigan's win at Hull KR eight days ago and, after being told he needs to undergo surgery, will return to Australia this week. Out of contract, Smith has now played his last match for the club.

Coach Brian Noble said: "We are pretty busted at the moment. It is a real blow to lose four players in the space of just over a week and this will now really stretch our resources.

"I am hugely disappointed for Tim Smith. We had hoped we could have got him back playing towards the end of the season but further tests have showed he will need surgery. Everyone at the club wishes him well."

Wigan recently extended the loan spells of centre or winger Goulding at Salford and second rower Mossop at Huddersfield but are able to recall them immediately.

"We are running out of bodies," added Noble. "Darrell and Lee will both be in contention for Friday's home game with Catalans Dragons."

Wigan are also without second rower Gareth Hock, who was last month suspended by the Rugby Football League after testing positive for the banned substance Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

Hock is due to receive the result of a B sample this week and details of a hearing which could result in a two-year ban.