Warriors v Wolves: Teams
Brett Finch is expected to make his long-awaited Super League debut for Wigan in the top-of-the-table clash with Warrington.
Last Updated: 25/03/11 4:48pm
Brett Finch is expected to make his long-awaited Super League debut for Wigan in their top-of-the-table clash with Warrington on Friday.
Wolves and Warriors - two of the pre-season title favourites - are currently sitting first and second in the table respectively ahead of their meeting at the DW Stadium.
Defending champions Wigan agreed a deal to sign Finch last year but he has sat out the first six weeks of the new campaign after undergoing neck surgery.
However, the Australian half-back has now been given the green light to play again and goes straight into coach Michael Maguire's squad to face Warrington.
"It didn't heal as quickly as I would have liked and you can't take any chances with your neck," Finch said of his injury.
Safe option
"I was told that, if I got a bad knock, the extent could be as bad as paralysis. When you are talking about those things, I thought the safest and best option was to get it done.
"They went through the front of the neck and shaved the disc which was pressing on the spinal cord. Obviously I'm not a doctor but it was a cause for concern but it didn't hinder me getting around.
"Unfortunately, it put me out for the first part of the year and I missed the World Club Challenge as well but there are more important things, like being able to walk and when I finish playing the game."
Full-back Sam Tomkins also makes a return after he sat out last Friday's 20-6 victory over Huddersfield through suspension, but half-back Paul Deacon is not yet ready to return from a head injury.
Youngsters Ryan King and Dom Crosby drop out of the squad to make way for Finch and Tomkins.
Warrington boss Tony Smith has not made any changes to his squad after last Sunday's 82-6 thrashing of Harlequins.
Wigan squad: S Tomkins, Goulding, Carmont, Leuluai, McIlorum, Coley, Hansen, O'Loughlin, Prescott, Lima, Hoffman, Finch, Roberts, Mossop, Farrell, Tuson, Marsh, Charnley, Mellor.
Warrignton squad: Blythe, Bridge, Briers, Carvell, Clarke, Evans, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hodgson, Mitchell, J Monaghan, M Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Riley, Solomona, Westwood, Wood.