Wigan forward recalled from Championship loan spell
Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
Wigan forward Harvie Hill has been recalled from his loan spell with Toulouse following the injury blow sustained to prop Mike Cooper.
Hill, 19, linked up with the Championship outfit earlier in March, making his first appearance against Sheffield from the bench before featuring in their 52-0 win over London Broncos on home soil in France.
The youngster initially joined on a one-month deal and was set to also feature in their Championship clash with Keighley in Round Nine.
However, Wigan boss Matt Peet has confirmed that the forward has returned to the DW Stadium following the season-ending injury to Cooper.
The 34-year-old England international will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained in the Good Friday derby victory over St Helens.
Harvie Hill returns to Wigan from loan spell
“Mike Cooper is a bad one. He’ll miss certainly the rest of this season.
“He’s done quite a lot of damage to his knee, including his ACL. He’s looking at least nine months, possibly 12.
“He has got more consultations coming up. It’s our intentions to support Mike wholeheartedly through the rehab. He’s shown a really positive reaction and has been involved in team meetings.
“We’ve spoken to the group about how he still wants to play his part this year but obviously on the field, it’s a blow.
“He’s alright, but he’s got a long journey ahead. It’s not about how he is this week, it’s about bout making sure we support him throughout.
“As far as the squad and how we deal with it, that’s what your squad is built and designed for, to stand these sorts of tests.
“One bright light is Harvie Hill has been playing really well on dual-registration and on loan most recently at Toulouse.
“He’s someone that we’ll be drawing on in coming months and we’re looking forward to it, that’s what we’re all about.”
“I’m hoping to see him feature soon.”
A product of Wigan’s academy, Hill made his Super League debut last August against Hull KR.
He has previously featured on loan at London Broncos earlier this season, making four appearances.
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