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Someone on RLFans is saying that Pat is out for the next 12 weeks.

Do you think we can keep progressing well in both the cup and league without his excellent goalkicking?

Just found it:

RT @patrichards5: Unfortunately i'll be out for the next 12 weeks.The operation went well and the knee will be better in the long run. Thanks for the messages

Thats very bad news poor Pat,lets hope he makes a full recovery soon.

Positive - Good rest ready for the business end of the season!

PAT RICHARDS OUT FOR 12 WEEKS

Wigan's goalkicking winger Pat Richards has revealed on Twitter that he will be sidelined for 12 weeks with a knee injury.

The 2010 Super League Man of Steel went in for exploratory surgery on Wednesday after limping out of the Warriors' win at Hull 10 days ago and relayed the bad news via his Twitter account.

"Unfortunately I'll be out for the next 12 weeks," he said. "The operation went well and the knee will be better in the long run."

Richards sat out the first two months of last season after rupturing his Achilles in Wigan's 2010 Grand Final win over St Helens and has already missed five of his club's 14 league and cup matches this year through injury.

He will miss the Challenge Cup semi-final if Wigan get past St Helens in next week's quarter-final but should be fit for the August 25 final if they get there.

http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ml&BID=480

could be a blessing in disguise.

Pat although still a consistent performer is on the slide now i feel, he is being skinned a few times now on his wing and feel like he has lost half a yard of pace which can make all the difference in his position.

Dont get me wrong im not saying he's shot at but i feel like this would be his last effective season, and it would be good for one of the young lads to get a chance and stake a claim for his spot.

Attacking wise i feel we could gain, but defensively i feel we will suffer but its as good a time as any to find out what we have in back up

Any time a key player is injured,(med / long term) is an opening for someone else to step up.
It's the nature of the game.
Good Luck with your recovery Pat

Pat does seem to be racking up the injuries over the last couple of seasons. Hopefully he will get back and in form for the end of the season.

I am a bit concerned about how much longer he is going to be effective for us. When does his contract run out? If we sort out a regular kicker, then Pat increasingly be under pressure to keep his place.

Matthew wrote: I am a bit concerned about how much longer he is going to be effective for us. When does his contract run out?

IIRC, he signed a 2 year deal in 2010 when Sale Sharks were hovering. This is the second year!