Manfredi plots return to action

[josie andrews]

Dom Manfredi has revealed a possible date for his much-anticipated return to action. The luckless winger – who hasn’t played a senior game since summer 2016 – is targeting a comeback at the end of April.

Shaun Wane had previously been unable to specify a likely time-frame. Manfredi said: “I’m looking at another five months, so April-May time. “It’s not too far off. I’ll miss the start of the season but I’m looking forward to getting out there.

“Like all operations it’s not 100 per cent guaranteed, but so far everyone is happy with it and hopefully it should be right this time.” Manfredi needed a second operation on his ACL after breaking down on his comeback in a reserves match last August – nearly 12 months to the day since suffering the serious injury.

“I can’t explain what I felt,” he said, of his failed comeback bid. “I lost it completely. At one point, I thought, ‘I can’t do this again.’ “But I had the scans done and I went to see the surgeon and it turned out it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. “It was well fixable, just like a normal ACL injury. “I had the second operation at the end of September, and hopefully it won’t be too long.”

Manfredi admits his recovery from this surgery has been easier to stomach than his rehab over the previous few months. “But it’s pre-season so it’s not hard watching the lads run up hills – it’s a lot tougher watching them play games!” smiled the 24-year-old. “I’ll miss a few weeks of next season but it’s not the end of the world.”

An academy-product, Manfredi debuted in the double-winning 2013 campaign and made swift progress to claim a starting wing spot. He did enough before his injury during the 2016 campaign to warrant selection in the Super League Dream Team.

In his absence last season, young wingers Tom Davies and Liam Marshall broke through into the team. With Joe Burgess also in the squad, Wane is not short of wing cover, even accounting for Lewis Tierney’s move to Catalans.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-8893886

[josie andrews]

Dom was at the Riversiders meeting last night & looked really well. It was good to see him ????

[Wigan_forever1985]

I hope he can return to form its a long time to be out but at least he has time on his side

[TrueBlueWarrior]

I fear for him, I really do!

[jao711]

Well there’s one bit of good news.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I am hoping against hope that he will be fit and well and lucky. One thing in his favour is that he does not rely on elusiveness, rather he is all about power, so he doesn't need much lateral movement. And it and well Dom is the best winger in the league.

[DaveO]

I am hoping against hope that he will be fit and well and lucky. One thing in his favour is that he does not rely on elusiveness, rather he is all about power, so he doesn't need much lateral movement. And it and well Dom is the best winger in the league.

According to the Opta stats in the three seasons he has played since 2014 he has always ranked behind either Charnley (twice) or Burgess (once) in their player rankings. So according to that he has not even the best winger at Wigan never mind the league.

Don't think it does any player any good over-hyping their ability and for a player out with such a serious injury as Manfredi it really isn't doing him any favours.

[Wandering Warrior]

Hope he comes back ok, have my doubts, but time will tell.
Hope he's not rushed back this time.

[Josie's friend]

I am hoping against hope that he will be fit and well and lucky. One thing in his favour is that he does not rely on elusiveness, rather he is all about power, so he doesn't need much lateral movement. And it and well Dom is the best winger in the league.

According to the Opta stats in the three seasons he has played since 2014 he has always ranked behind either Charnley (twice) or Burgess (once) in their player rankings. So according to that he has not even the best winger at Wigan never mind the league.

Don't think it does any player any good over-hyping their ability and for a player out with such a serious injury as Manfredi it really isn't doing him any favours.

IMO with the way we play any winger with a bit of speed will get tries and people ignore their flaws. Dom and the two new lads are far from being quality wingers nevermind best in the league.
Dom's first reaction is to cut in which neutralises his attack and his postitioning is dodgy, clear cut oppotunities he'll take but he relies on speed.
Davies & Marshall did well last season but did well for kids being thrown in to the deep end, older players would of had their critics.Those two have time to adpat and improve were Dom through injury has missed the boat in my opinion.

[fozzieskem]

Manfredi was coming along very nicely before the injury, he wasn't the finished article of course but was very much the modern winger, can he return to his form before the injury? I have grave doubts but as ever always love to be proven wrong, if nothing else one thing he will be need to be given is more time, he simply won't return to anything like that form for many months after he returns.