Warriors v Hull FC - Teams
Wigan will be without suspended duo Gareth Hock and Michael McIlorum when they host cup finalists Hull FC.
Last Updated: 30/07/08 11:02pm
Wigan will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they host Carnegie Challenge Cup finalists Hull FC on Friday night.
The Warriors have lost three on the bounce in the engage Super League and now find themselves looking over their shoulder in the battle for a top six finish.
In their last two outings Brian Noble's side have been comfortably beaten on home soil, firstly by local rivals St Helens and then surprisingly by struggling Huddersfield.
Now they need to pick up two points to try and make sure of a play-off place, though their cause has not helped by a five-match suspension handed to Gareth Hock.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of grabbing referee Ian Smith's arm and acting 'contrary to the true spirit of the game' during his side's 34-4 defeat to the Giants.
Michael McIlorum is also ruled out serving the final game of his two-match ban following his sending off in the opening minutes of the derby defeat to Saints.
Skipper sidelined
Skipper Sean O'Loughlin is still sidelined with a shoulder problem while Paul Prescott is als ruled out. Prop Iafeta Paleaaesina is included in the 19-man squad but faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury.
Hull FC head to the JJB Stadium fresh off the back of a hard-fought Challenge Cup semi-final success over Wakefield last Sunday.
The Airlie Birds booked a trip to Wembley with a 32-24 result in Doncaster that followed on from a 44-18 derby demolition of city neighbours Hull KR the previous week.
A leg injury means Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor will not be in action against Wigan. Tom Briscoe is likely to start in his place on the left flank.
Scrum-half James Webster is also missing from the party as he is yet to receive a British passport.
Wigan squad: Mathers, Calderwood, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Bailey, Colbon, Coley, Hansen, Phelps, J. Tomkins, O'Carroll, Mossop, Smith.
Hull FC squad: Berrigan, Briscoe, Burnett, Carvell, Cusack, Dowes, Dykes, Hall, G. Horne, Houghton, Lee, Manu, Radford, Sing, Tickle, Thackray, Washbrook, Yeaman, Wheeldon.