FFS what? Dont be a smart on the other end of a keyboard.

Gaz Hock never played in 2 years either.

but Gaz was not injured for the time he was out and he was only 28 when he came back not knocking on 33

I'd keep Fielden for another year if he can prove his fitness.

I'd rather not lose Coley, Fielden & Lima in the space of 2 years - Prescott & Mossop may be good, but we'd lack a lot of experience in the front row.

Provided we can get him for the right price I would agree. I reckon he may prove to be a useful addition. Ok so he's 33, but effectively 2 years off means he should have less "attrition" than a player who has played constantly.

All depends on whether he has still got the ability/desire (and of course whether he is willing to take a [likely] pay cut).

I'm not being anything thank you very much.

Its funny seeing some fans with their heads in the clouds saying stuff like "what if"

He's been permanently injured for the past 18 months with two or three set backs in that time.

That's not someone you give a new contact to

IF he can prove his fitness a 12 month contract could suit both parties. Lima going a year early would affect our recruitment plans as it was unexpected whilst the the player cant really expect much more.

At his age and being an 80 minute prop for so many years this lay off is less concerning to me than the amount of games that Paul Prescott misses

Can he not go on a pay per play contract like we had pryce on?

I would say try another year if he proves his fitness with a stringent medical as if he were a new signing. He's still going to be one of the best props in the league if he regains fitness but I'd like to see him in the 20s first because if he's lost any part of his game while injured he's not worth keeping.

I think a pay as you play deal is the only way Wigan will keep him on, but can't see Stu going for it, especially if a Wakey, Bradford, Salford etc comes in with a permanent deal. I think in a perfect scenario he'd have played 10-15 games this season then been offered a 1 year deal, this would have been ideal once it was announced Lima was off. As it is I can't see the club offering a player a contract when he hasn't played for pretty much 2 full seasons.

I hope he goes, he does not deserve another contract, all the time he's been here he's one and a half good seasons, simply not good good enough for a guy who seems to be living of past glories and a reputation that he gained at the Bulls, bin him off and let the youngsters shine, and if we do need an older more wiser prop then we should buy a fit and healthy one not one that's seen better days

I would be absolutely amazed if he gets a new contract, he was an important cog in our relagation survival side and GF winning side but 2 years without a performance does not warrant a new contract for me.

That's harsh but probably true, although that type of prop are hardly in common supply. Maybe Huby from Cas could do a Coley?

stu is on a big wage and wont want to drop down to acadamy wages but thats all he's going to be offerd. its taken years for him to get fit and healthy but cant manage a couple of reserve games without picking up an injury! i cant see any way forward for him at wigan.

Can't say I agree with the tone of your post, you seem to be angry at him for being able to secure a good contract. I'm not sure how he's 'living off past glories' as opposed to being a player who has seemingly come to the end of his rugby career in an unfortunate way.

I agree that he's not worth a new contract though. He's barely played in two years so he's not been able to do anything to suggest that he's retained. If we do need a good experienced prop forward then we might as well sign one who doesn't carry quite so much risk.

Paul Wood from Wire would do the trick.

Thank god some common sense.

Zero mins game time in 18 months = no reason to give him a new contract.