Matt Peet has confirmed that Wigan Warriors are expected to be without Bevan French for another couple of weeks.
French has been named in the last two Wigan squads but hasn’t been deemed fit enough to be involved as he bids to overcome a calf injury. The Australian hasn’t played since picking up the issue at Belle Vue back in June and as a result, the Cherry and Whites have spent the last two months without their best and most dangerous player.
Jack Farrimond and Adam Keighran have both spent time in the number six role in French’s absence, but neither man has been able to help Wigan find consistency, with the Warriors losing three of the seven games they have played without French.
However, Peet has now confirmed that the half-back could potentially miss another couple of games, with Wakefield Trinity and Catalans Dragons their next two opponents.
The head coach has also ruled out star prop Luke Thompson for a similar period with the England international struggling with a calf problem too.
Junior Nsemba is edging towards a return to action though after missing last Friday’s loss to Hull KR with a head knock, while Jack Farrimond is ready to take on Wakefield this Sunday after overcoming the issue he picked up a fortnight ago at Warrington Wolves.
Wigan Warriors boss gives injury rundown
“Junior’s available so we’ll make a decision later in the week and Jack [Farrimond] is good to go,” Peet said in this afternoon’s press conference, according to Wigan’s social media channels.
“Luke [Thompson] will be a couple weeks, potentially more. Bevan could be a similar time frame.”
Wigan need to win if they’re to keep their hopes of winning the League Leaders’ Shield alive and keep hold of their spot in the top two. But Wakefield will be fresh after seeing Salford Red Devils forfeit their scheduled fixture last weekend and with a play-off spot to play for, they’ll be keen to claim their second win over Wigan this year.
“They’re a high quality play-off capable team with plenty of momentum on and off the field,” Peet said of Wakefield. “They’re a team that will challenge you with the quality of their shape and the intelligence of players.”
