Warriors v Rhinos - Teams
Wigan will be without second rower Phil Bailey for Friday's Super League clash with Leeds at the DW Stadium.
Last Updated: 24/07/09 10:09pm
Wigan Warriors will be without second rower Phil Bailey for Friday's Super League clash with Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium.
The Australian, who had been deputising as captain for the injured Sean O'Loughlin, suffered a dead leg in last weekend's win at Bradford.
He joins a Warriors injury list that includes O'Loughlin, Tim Smith and Michael McIlorum.
"There'll be 22,000 people at the DW Stadium, for a big occasion like Leeds, and the players are focused and ready for it. They'll be energised," said Wigan coach Brian Noble, whose side have won their last four Super League games.
"We have got ourselves into a position where our form and commitment is pretty good but we need to keep that going.
"The acid test for us will be tomorrow against a good Leeds team.
"They have plenty of world-class players and you have to be ready to play and concentrate for 80 minutes.
"The one second you switch off, defensively or offensively, you miss an opportunity or they'll get you.
"You have to be very good at all times."
Leeds duo return
The Rhinos welcome back captain Kevin Sinfield and winger Scott Donald, who missed last week's defeat of Hull KR with a dead leg and illness respectively.
Full-back Brent Webb will face a fitness test after suffering a knock in that game.
"Wigan have got a lot of resilience, they been through some adversity this year and they have risen up well," said Leeds coach Brian McClennan.
"It can make you stronger and I think it has. They have got a bit of form and a lot of confidence and have really pumped this game up, but that makes it better for us.
"It's been a good month for us so far and now we've got the opportunity to perform against another form team in Wigan.
"We're really determined to play well on the night and if we can do that and come away with two points, it would mean we've only got one more game - against Warrington - in July to take care of a very good month.
"We want to perform really well and get the two points."
Wigan squad: Roberts, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Bailey, J. Tomkins, Coley, Hansen, Prescott, Pryce, Phelps, Gleeson, Mossop, S. Tomkins, Flanagan
Leeds squad: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Ablett, Burgess, Worrall, Watkins, Ratu