Warrington Wolves confirm horror injury and rest two players for Hull FC fixture

Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess.
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess. -Credit:SW Pix


Warrington Wolves have made several changes to their 21-man squad to take on Hull FC at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this Friday night. The Wire will be without young half-back Leon Hayes, who has suffered a serious fracture dislocation to his ankle, with Sam Burgess also resting a couple of forwards for Friday night's clash.

Hayes, who had started Wire's last ten matches, suffered the blow in their 17-12 defeat at Salford Red Devils last Saturday and will now undergo surgery this week. He is expected to miss the remainder of the season, with the club confirming he will be out for six months.

Josh Drinkwater is now likely to come back into the side to partner George Williams, with Wire rejecting Hull's enquiry about a possible loan move last month.

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Posting a club statement on Tuesday evening, the club said: "Leon Hayes has suffered a fracture dislocation of his ankle and will undergo surgery this week. The young half-back will be sidelined for approximately six months. Leon is in good spirits and appreciative of all the messages of support since Saturday. We’re with you in every step of your recovery, Leon."

Elsewhere, Burgess will also rest James Harrison and Jordan Crowther for the fixture, while winger Matty Ashton still isn't right after missing the Salford game. However, Zane Musgrove will return to the Warrington side after overcoming an ankle injury. Max Wood is also drafted in.

"There are a couple of guys out, Jordy Crowther and James Harrison will both have a rest this week," Burgess said in his pre-match press conference. "Matty Ashton's still not available. Jordy has just got a bit going on, we just want to give him a rest.

"They have both been playing above their weight for the last four or five weeks and doing a good job. They have both got a couple of niggles but it's nothing bad."

The Wire defeated Hull 36-10 in February with the game best remembered for Fa'amanu Brown's controversial red card. Hull, meanwhile, are expected to play Jake Trueman for the first time this year, naming the half-back in their 21-man squad.

Warrington Squad: 1. Matt Dufty, 2. Josh Thewlis, 3. Toby King, 4. Stefan Ratchford, 6. George Williams, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 9. Danny Walker, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Ben Currie, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 13. Matty Nicholson, 14. Rodrick Tai, 15. Joe Philbin, 16. Zane Musgrove, 19. Joe Bullock, 28. Adam Holroyd, 29. Tom Whitehead, 32. Sam Powell, Arron Lindop, Cai Taylor-Wray, Max Wood

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