Oliver Gildart discusses likely Wigan Warriors return to action

[josie andrews]

Oliver Gildart has completed a week of full training as he eyes his first match of the year.

The Test centre is hoping to deliver Wigan a timely boost and return to the side in their next game, away at Huddersfield Giants next Friday.

But he still has some sessions to get through, and a few boxes to tick, before he declares himself fully fit and available following a frustrating groin injury.

The 24-year-old said: “Hopefully I’ll be able to play in our next game.

I’ve been training with the lads this week and it’s gone really well.

“We’ll see how it is next week, I don’t want to play with it if it’s not right.

“It’s one of those where I could do more damage if it’s not 100 per cent, so it has to be right.

“And with it being my last year, too, I don’t want any more setbacks.”

Gildart, who is leaving to join Wests Tigers at the end of this season, hasn’t played a game in anger this year after suffering the injury in pre-season.

He wasn’t expected to be sidelined so long and coach Adrian Lam has been mocked by some fans for frequently saying Gildart would be two weeks away, only for him not to appear.

The England and Great Britain centre explained: “It’s been a really frustrating one. It’s not Lammy’s fault, he obviously goes off what I and the physio tell him.

“It’s just been a real niggly one, you feel you’re getting closer and it’s not quite right.

“Tommy Leuluai had a similar injury a few years ago and he’s been great helping me through it.”

A potent attacking threat, Gildart's return would certainly deliver a boost to a Wigan side still reeling from their shocking 48-0 defeat at Catalans last weekend.

Forwards Liam Farrell, Willie Isa and even Joe Shorrocks have filled the centre roles in the early stages of this campaign as Lam dealt with an early-season injury crisis in the backs.


https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... on-3260875

[Caboosegg]

I really hope this is just negative outlook in general but some of the comments in that article make me think Gildart is going to coast through the rest of the year to save himself for West tigers.

[Mike]

Sounds like it to me. An he has an injury where he has to feel 100% before he'll play too. Handy.

[medlocke]

Send him on loan to Barrow

[pedro]

Should send him there ruined or injured like they all do to us

[nathan_rugby]

Send him on loan to Barrow

Why?

His contract is expiring and he is moving clubs just like many players do across all teams.

[jackthelad]

Send him on loan to Barrow

Why?

His contract is expiring and he is moving clubs just like many players do across all teams.

Why not put him on loan, might give him chance to get match fit

Think meds is joking !!?

[medlocke]

Send him on loan to Barrow

Why?

His contract is expiring and he is moving clubs just like many players do across all teams.

His attitude as stated above

[nathan_rugby]

Send him on loan to Barrow

Why?

His contract is expiring and he is moving clubs just like many players do across all teams.

His attitude as stated above

I read no attitude in that article.

[fozzieskem]

Why?

His contract is expiring and he is moving clubs just like many players do across all teams.

His attitude as stated above

I read no attitude in that article.

And why would you?

Journalists know not to upset the apple cart too often and as for Gildart he’s unlikely to start burning bridges given his,more than likely,return in a couple of years is he?

Just a nice cosy fluff article