This was my feeling too. Backline of Bowen, Burgess, Goulding, Gelling, Manfredi, Sarginson, Smith is actually pretty decent considering all the injuries!

But we also have options with Powell & Williams able to slot in at HB. So we should be okay.

Sarginson doesn't play with his head up enough to be considered at 6 IMO. He's a threat running the ball but his instincts are weighted too heavily towards that part of his game to make a success of the stand off position at the moment. He did well at fullback at Hull but you get that bit more time chiming in to the line and more of a licence to run the ball.

On a side note Wane has said in today's WEP that Powell will get first go at 6 and it's up to him to make his mark.

Over the next few weeks we need to include Powell, Hampshire and Williams in the 17 and give them all some game time.

What injury does Rocky have? Is he out for long?

Frightening strength in depth that our first choice stand off is out long-term and we have 4 genuine options to cover him, without even having to consider Lockers moving there which was usually the only option.

rlhttp://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/green-ruled-out-for-three-months-1-6624216rl

That was a rather large bicep to tear though!

He's fit again and was 18th man on Saturday.

Maybe if Bowen isn't fully fit SW will give him a stint at fb!

Would love to see Hampshire given a run at 6, let him run the show against Salford and put his name down as our 6 for when Green leaves.

That's good news. What's the position with the rest of our wounded? How long before Charnley, Flower, Pettybourne & Clubb are ready for action?

I think Wane sees Hampshire as his fullback for when Bowen goes and sees Powell as his first choice back up when it comes to the halfback positions so I'd expect it to play out like that over the next few months.

I'd love to see Hampshire given a run at 6 also but I just don't see it. These rumours from over St Helens way about Hampshire wanting to be a stand off and not a fullback will be put to the test if he doesn't get given that run. I don't really see why a player would have a preference in our system but you never know I suppose.

Straight after the game on Saturday Pettybourne was talked about as the only player who would probably be back for Thursday but since then Lockers has said he should be ready by all accounts.

As for the others there was talk of Charnley being back for Magic a couple of weeks back so I presume he can't be a million miles away and Farrell was touch and go for the past two games so hopefully he'll not be far down the track. I think Clubb is still a month away as they said it was a 5 week injury when he did it against Hull. I've not heard much about Ben Flower other then it was a 6 week job when he did it on Good Friday so that puts him a couple of weeks away.

Thanks for that. Apart from the Green bad news the situation is looking a bit rosier and we could be in much better shape for the trip to Huddersfield in a couple of weeks time.

Hampshire is still a junior albeit a very talented one. The difficulty will be persuading him that the plan the club have for him will allow him to reach his maximum potential and maximise his wealth. I still believe that Kevin Brown's career development was held back by being forced to step up too early.
I would like to see Hampshire blooded in the halves as part of a planned rotation with Powell and Williams,who have really impressed me, but we need to remember that he was probably down to go out on loan to get the experience he needs. Rocky may not like that but no other club in SL can offer a better pathway. All this talk about St Helens is a bit strange because they cannot offer any real difference in his progression and he could find himself in the same position Smith was in.
In a way I feel sorry for Powell because he is being overlooked yet he is also young, talented and realistically, ready to step up. The expectations should be more immediate for him as he needs quality game time.