Wigan welcome back John Bateman for trip to Warrington

John Bateman is set to return from injury when Wigan travel to rivals Warrington on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old England international has recovered from his ankle injury, while Ireland international Liam Byrne is also set to come back for the Warriors after overcoming a rib injury.

Young hooker Amir Bourouh, who has spent time on loan at hometown club Halifax this season, is back in Adrian Lam’s squad after featuring for the first time in 2021 away to Huddersfield two weeks ago. Youngsters James McDonnell, Umyla Hanley and Brad O’Neill miss out.

Morgan Smithies (ankle), Zak Hardaker (neck), Dom Manfredi (knee), Jai Field (hamstring) and Bevan French (hamstring) remain out for the Warriors.

Warrington coach Steve Price has named his 21-man squad for Wednesday night’s derby, but new recruit George Williams has not been included.

It had been anticipated that Williams would make his debut for Warrington against his former club Wigan, but the England half-back has not been named in the Wolves squad.

Warrington prop Mike Cooper is in line to make his 250th appearance for his hometown club.

Warrington: Akauola, Austin, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Doro, Hill, Hughes, King, Lineham, Longstaff, Mamo, Mulhern, Philbin, Ratchford, Thewlis, Walker, Wrench.

Wigan: Gildart, Marshall, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Bullock, Isa, Farrell, Bateman, Partington, Clubb, Byrne, Smith, Havard, Bibby, Clark, Shorrocks, Pearce-Paul, Halsall, Hastings, Bourouh.

The Super League clash takes place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Wednesday, 7:45pm.

Wigan and Warrington have only met once so far in 2021, with the Wolves taking the spoils in the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium in June.

The match will see a return to full capacity crowds at the HJ for the first time since March 2020.

In other news, promotion and relegation to and from Super League is still set to go ahead at the end of the season.