By Paul Fletcher

Radlinski was the best full-back of his generation

Wigan Warriors legend Kris Radlinski believes he risked his reputation by coming out of retirement, but is glad that he did so.

A persistent knee injury forced the 30-year-old to retire in March but he returned in June to try to help Wigan avoid relegation from Super League.

"I've not set the game on fire on my comeback," Radlinski told BBC Sport.

"But I put my hand up and I can say that I risked a lot coming back, I risked my reputation."

The Warriors were bottom of the Super League table when the former Great Britain full-back shocked rugby league by announcing his comeback.

With all due respect to ex-players I see hobbling around, I do not want to be one of them Kris Radlinski

Radlinski, who has been playing for free to try to help his home-town club avoid relegation, admits it has not been easy - and plans to retire for a second time as soon as possible.

"It is just until Wigan are safe. I will definitely not be playing next year," he said.

"When I do hang the boots up I still have a large portion of my life to lead.

"With all due respect to ex-players who I see hobbling around, I do not want to be one of them. I still want to be active.

"After seeing physios and specialists they said that for 10 more games l would not do any more damage but that is literally as far as I can go - I cannot go any further."

Radlinski has largely played at right centre since returning to the game - he no longer has the fitness to play the full-back position he graced for more than a decade - and has had to carefully monitor his knee.

His return to the side, along with the appointment of Brian Noble as coach and transfer of prop Stuart Fielden from Bradford, has seen a revival of fortunes.

Wigan have won seven of their last eight games and, despite suffering a two-point deduction for violating last season's salary cap, are currently out of the relegation zone.

And Radlinski is hoping that by the final game of the season, at home to Hull, he will be in the stands watching with the team assured of safety.