Ryan Bailey out for opening rounds

Ryan Bailey will undergo surgery next week and will miss the first four games of the Super League season for Warrington.

Bailey will go under the knife to correct an ankle complaint that has been hampering him for the past two years.

“He’s been struggling with what was thought to be an Achilles problem for two years but, when we investigated, it was a muscle that some people grow around their Achilles,” Warrington coach Tony Smith said.

“Not many people have it but he’s got it in both legs and he pulled one in training.

“We’re getting him operated on early next week and he’s out for six to eight weeks which puts him out for the first four rounds.”

Bailey spent time at Hull KR and Castleford last year before making a surprise move to the Wolves in the off-season. The prop has been signed on an incentive-based short-term contract in a bid to resurrect his career.

Smith believes Bailey did hand leaving Leeds Rhinos after so long at the club.

“He’s been in some dark places for the last couple of years. He didn’t cope well with leaving Leeds,” Smith said.

“But he’s got his head on playing rugby league now and he’s handling the setback.”

Bailey is hoping to get his career back on track at Warrington under his former Leeds coach.

“I’ve been getting treated for the wrong injury for the last two years,” the veteran front-rower said.

“That’s what’s been frustrating, that’s why I got so down.

“I’m excited now because, once it’s operated on, it’s gone away forever. Hopefully I’ll only miss four or five games. “