Warrington Wolves will start the new season without England utility back Stefan Ratchford and two of their new signings, Mitchell Dodds and Ryan Bailey.

Bailey will miss a reunion with his old Rhinos team-mates after being booked in for surgery in London next week to correct a mystery complaint that has dogged him for the past two years.

Warrington coach Tony Smith said: "He's been struggling with what was thought to be an Achilles problem for two years but, when we investigated, it was a muscle that some people grow around their Achilles.

"Not many people have it but he's got it in both legs and he pulled one in training.

"We're getting him operated on early next week and he's out for six to eight weeks which puts him out for the first four rounds."

"He's been in some dark places for the last couple of years," said former Leeds boss Smith. "He didn't cope well with leaving Leeds.

"I've been getting treated for the wrong injury for the last two years," said Bailey at Warrington's pre-season media day.

"That's what's been frustrating, that's why I got so down.

"I'm excited now because, once it's operated on, it's gone away forever. Hopefully I'll only miss four or five games."

I have a feeling, he'll have a decent season for them.

Out of interest, how does his individual trophy count compare to Warrington's whole squad combined?

I reckon Bailey has 12 in his trophy count compared to the Warrington squad combined of 16.

I think even Kirkey can beat Wires trophy count

Bailey won't set the world on fire at wire but if he can get himself physically and mentally in the right space then he will be a good signing. A solid been there and done it pro.

At Leeds he was part of a decent squad. He wasn't a star performer but not every member of the squad can be.

I've just been reading elsewhere that Bailey has been suffering from depression since he left Leeds.I wonder if he had it whilst he was here? Causing him to miss training at times and not seeming to bother about his testimonial? Anyway I hope he comes through it ok ,I've heard it's an awful illness

Leaving a club he's at played all his life with his mates - to be ostracised and play one game at Hull.

No wonder he was depressed.

I can vouch that it is !! And despite all the justified clamour for it to be better recognised and not treated in any way as a stigma it can still potentially jeopardise your chances of getting a new job when found on your medical record - as I found to my cost. I am very grateful I never told the GP just how suicidal I did actually feel (I played it down)....

thankfully I was able to recover, but I now know why people do what they do when everybody around them state they never saw it coming. It is a terrible disease still much punished by any new job applications if discovered.

Depression is responsible for more deaths in men under 50 than any other illness. It is criminally under resourced and treated as an illness that doesn't exist by much of society. I have suffered for much of my life and I work very hard each day to overcome it, the big 'game changer' for me after all these years of struggling has been to be completely honest, with my family, friends and employer. Why should I hide it, I wouldn't if I had a physical illness like Cancer, its up to society (especially those that suffer) to change the worlds view on what is a very real and very destructive illness.

I concur with all you say (and very much emphasise)....and at least with an employer you have a long track record with there should be adequate understanding and support.

The problem arises - as I intimated in my last post - when you wish to start employment with a new employer. This even when it is a government public service position.

We have a long long way to go as a society. At the moment you have the growing acceptance you should be able to be totally open about it contradicted by the fact you will be punished for it by not getting the new job you were hoping for.

Agree with all that - but would also add that there is a worrying trend of sportsmen (and other celebrities) using the 'depression' card to try and justify poor behaviour, and that doesn't help those genuinely suffering from what is a terrible illness..

Not saying this is the case with Bailey, but I would add, the things he's done wrong and flaws in his character over the last couple of years have been present in his behaviour at regular points since his early teens.

"Using the depression card"?

Seriously?

If someone I don't know finds the courage to tell me - and millions of other people through the media - that they're suffering from mental illness, I'd be tempted to take that at face value rather than view it as some cynical attempt at excusing their behaviour.

I have known & know several colleagues, friends & family who have suffered to varying degrees with depression. One colleague I managed died a slow & painful death from the illness. However there is a tendency to label people now, which makes it easier to give them prescription drugs, with over a million under 5s in America on psychiatric drugs, making huge profits for drug companies. Most people feel down at periods in their lives due to specific events, hopefully with Bailey that's what it was, rather than something that has/will affect him all his life.