Exactly!!! and perhaps Josh was asked to stand down for 6-8 weeks, knowing full well he is leaving with
Wane at the end of this season.

NZW are particularly strong on both wings. They must be the most frustrating team in the world to support but Vatuvai and Fishiahi (spelling probably miles out) would get in most teams

So does anyone know, is Josh genuinely seriously injured, or is this going to be Carney mark II?

It would be very disappointing if it was the latter.

He looked in a bad way leaving the field on Friday, and it was reported that he was on crutches after the game.

Some of our "fans" are ridiculously cynical and can't wait to stick the knife in. The last we saw of Josh he was getting carried off with what looked like a serious leg injury, there hasn't even been anything official released about how long he's out for, and now people are suggesting he's faking it because he's leaving anyway. Absolute joke.

Josh being on crutches at the moment is correct. He has been seen by a few friends of mine days after on crutches.

Ease off on the melodrama.

It was a simple question, based on the rumours of a few weeks ago that he was looking for a way out - and it's not like we haven't been burned by that before.

If you know for a fact that he's sidelined through a genuine injury, that was all you needed to say (as others have done).

That hasn't been decided yet. I think we may see him in our colours for another year or two yet

I know nothing with regards to his injury, as the majority of people won't unless they are associated directly with the club or Josh personally, but at this stage there has been nothing to suggest that there is anything deceitful going on. If this was rumbling on for months and there was nothing coming out of the club then fair enough, but not 4 days after he was carried from the field obviously in a lot of pain. Whether he moves on after this season or not is completely irrelevent.

Without wishing to turn this into a round-and-round argument, it was a fair enough question to ask.

All through the start of this season, as seemingly with the start of every season, we've been inundated with rumours about players either wanting to go to the NRL or RU. We heard - whether it was true or not is another matter - that Josh's agent was openly looking for an Aussie club for him. The response on here was that we are sick of players trying to leave their contracts early and why don't we get tough, etc.

It wasn't totally unreasonable to wonder if maybe the club had got tough and that Josh was sulking as a result - especially as we were told first it was a two-week injury, and then suddenly it has expanded to nine weeks.

If he's badly hurt, I am very, very sorry him, and for us. But I'd prefer that to it being a case of Josh playing the old soldier, as that's the kind of hurt that doesn't heal (Carney being a prime example).

I don't wish to come over as being cynical, but I don't think we can be blamed. Much of it is groundless rumour, I agree, but there seems to be a permanent open season on Wigan's star players.

Cruncher I think you have explained your point well mate but I still can't agree with you. Whether or not a player wants to better himself in another competition is no reason to question his integrity, especially as in this case Josh has done nothing to add any fuel to that fire. He's given a lot to the club and as you say is one of our star players. The lad got hurt, it was clear to see and if it's 2 weeks or 9 weeks doesn't mean it's ok to question his integrity.

The latest bit of news on Josh's injury I can find is on the Wigan Today website from yesterday and quotes Wane as saying “We’ve had some news. We’ve not had lots of detail. We’ll assess it further on in the week but there’s nothing really sinister in the injury so hopefully it will only be a couple of weeks but we’ll have more of an idea this week.” so I don't understand where people are getting 9 weeks from at this stage.

Before Friday he was starting to find his feet and get back up to speed IMO, after a very short pre-season and a hernia operation. I wasn't intending to have a go at you personally, there was another post along similar lines I just quoted yours as it was the latest, but it now seems that every bit of news that comes out of the club has to have some underlying deceitful conspiracy theory alongside it.

Cynical!!! Well yes!!! Is it surprising with the rubbish that comes out of the Wigan club. Furthermore living in Northern Ireland I have to rely on forum boards for information on players.

Like many other posters, I have refrained from posting in recent years, as there are too many posters only too willing to post a offensive reply. Wouldn't it have been better to start message without the offensive first sentence? I would have been grateful though for just the info on his injury.

Charnley confirmed out for at least 2 months.

According to the report on SSN Dom Manfredi will play in his place this Friday! Didn't think his month was quite up yet but glad to hear he's available.

No ligament damage for Charnley so he shouldn't be too long I'd have thought. We can certainly cope for the next 6 weeks or so.