BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Super League | Farrell in fitness battle

Wigan coach Stuart Raper says he will not risk Andy Farrell in Saturday's game at Bradford unless his captain is fully recovered from a thigh injury.

Raper is still waiting for a final verdict on the injury after Farrell missed the second half of the Warriors' win 48-8 mauling of St Helens on Sunday.

Warriors thrash Saints

"He's very doubtful for Saturday but I don't think it's a long-term injury," he said.

"He still doesn't know how he did it. It just tightened up on him, and that's why I'm hopeful because he didn't feel it go."

The Great Britain captain was recently sidelined with a groin problem, but Raper said the injuries were not connected.

Johnny Lawless is on the Halifax sick-list

Farrell will have a precautionary scan but Raper said: "We are not going to take any risks with it. He won't be playing unless he's fully fit."

Irish winger Brian Carney is also doubtful for the game at table-topping Bradford because of a hamstring injury.

Castleford are confident prop Nathan Sykes, centre Barrie-Jon Mather and second rower Lee Harland will return after missing last week's shock defeat at Warrington through injury.

Widnes, aiming for a hat-trick of wins over the Tigers this season, give late fitness tests to captain Steve Carter (arm) and Anthony Farrell (groin), Adam Hughes (leg) and Daniel Frame (chest).

Halifax scrum-half Gavin Clinch will miss his club's last two matches of the Super League season after breaking an ankle in Sunday's win at Salford.

Hooker Johnny Lawless is also highly unlikely to play against Wakefield on Sunday because of a shoulder injury.

Halifax, now safe from relegation, will also be without captain Brett Goldspink (knee), forward Jim Gannon (ankle), scrum-half Gavin Clinch (ankle) and hooker Johnny Lawless (shoulder).

Wakefield skipper Brad Davis moves to stand-off in the absence of Martin Moana, who misses his first match since moving to the club in April.


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