Wigan are on the rise - Andy Gregory

Gregory pictured playing for Wigan during the 1990 Challenge Cup final

Wigan legend Andy Gregory has warned St Helens that the Warriors are again set to become a major force in the sport.

Wigan head for Friday's final Knowsley Road derby in front of a sell-out 17,500 crowd as Super League leaders.

Gregory said: "Saints are a great club but it's hard to escape the suspicion they're not the side they were.

"That's not the case with Wigan. They're very much a team with a great future rather than a great past. They have a great squad now."

Gregory sees major similarities between the dominant Wigan team he played for in the 1980s and 1990s and the club's current crop.

"There was a big local flavour to the Wigan team back then and many of the stars of this Wigan team are local lads who will not need motivating for the derby," he said.

"It's good to see those local lads playing in cherry and white and it's good to see Wigan flying high at the top of Super League where they belong."

Wigan have underlined their re-emergence this season with seven wins from their first eight games.

"Michael Maguire has got them playing well," added Gregory. "I don't know much about him but it's obvious he's a good coach and someone who doesn't have favourites."