Wigan Warriors have been dealt a fresh blow in their forward pack with second-rower Junior Nsemba facing another month on the sidelines following a setback in his recovery.
Rescan delays Nsemba's comeback
Head coach Matt Peet confirmed the club had rescanned the 22‑year‑old after he pulled up during Wigan’s Magic Weekend victory over St Helens. Nsemba was originally pencilled in to return at the start of August but the new scan shows the injury has not progressed as hoped, meaning he will now be unavailable for a further period of around five weeks.
“Junior has had a setback so it will be a while for him… We rescanned it and it’s not where it needed to be so it’s disappointing.”
Peet underlined the frustration that comes with recurrent injuries, noting how widespread the problem has been across the competition in recent weeks, with other clubs also suffering heavy losses to their squads. The coach stressed the emotional and competitive toll when players are unable to take the field.
Positive returns on the horizon
There was better news for the Warriors, however, as Peet indicated three senior players are progressing well and could be available for the derby against St Helens on Friday: Bevan French and Liam Marshall (both hamstring injuries) and Noah Hodkinson (recovering from a fractured skull).
Peet suggested the trio could be in contention once the team complete “a few sessions to knock over yet”, offering a potential boost to Wigan’s selection options ahead of the fierce local rivalry.
- Junior Nsemba: rescanned, setback; out for around five weeks.
- Bevan French: hamstring, expected to be in contention.
- Liam Marshall: hamstring, expected to be in contention.
- Noah Hodkinson: fractured skull, expected to be in contention.
Peet also reflected on the nature of the Wigan–St Helens rivalry, highlighting the shared history and local passion that ensures their meetings are rarely short of drama. He framed the current injury challenges within the broader demands of a long season, pointing to endurance and timing as key elements in sustaining a squad’s campaign.
| Player | Issue | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Nsemba | Unspecified injury (setback) | Rescan shows delayed recovery; ~5 weeks out |
| Bevan French | Hamstring | Likely in contention for derby |
| Liam Marshall | Hamstring | Likely in contention for derby |
| Noah Hodkinson | Fractured skull | Likely in contention for derby |
For Wigan supporters, the immediate concern will be how the club manages its depth across the back row while balancing a return of influential attacking options. The outcome of the forthcoming training sessions will shape the matchday squad for the Friday fixture at a time when consistent fitness has become as decisive as form.
This update arrives amid a period in which several Super League clubs, including St Helens, Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls, have reported significant injuries, a factor that has compounded selection headaches across the competition.
As the Warriors prepare for another chapter in the local derby, the club must navigate the fine margins between restoring senior players and safeguarding longer‑term recoveries — a challenge that will test medical staff, coaching decisions and the squad’s resilience in equal measure.
