Wigan Warriors injury news: Matt Peet confirms Ethan Havard blow as long-term absentee returns

Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has confirmed that star forward Ethan Havard is expected to miss the next month of action due to a hamstring injury.

Havard, 22, suffered the blow in the early stages of the 27-26 defeat to Wakefield at Belle Vue during Super League Round 18.

The impressive forward, who was rewarded with his first England cap earlier this year against France, has already suffered a dislocated elbow in 2023 in the Challenge Cup sixth round tie against Leeds.

He marked his return later in June in the win over Salford, and has featured against Huddersfield and Mark Applegarth’s Wakefield since.

Havard has made 15 Super League appearances in the current campaign.

The Warriors however do welcome back forwards Kai Pearce-Paul and Kaide Ellis to their 21-man squad for Friday’s televised home clash against Warrington.

Prop forward Ellis has completed his three-match ban following a punch on Stefan Ratchford in the Challenge Cup quarter-final fixture at the DW Stadium.

Meanwhile, back-rower and England international Pearce-Paul has been sidelined with a leg injury and has not played since May.

Wigan Warriors boss provides injury latest

“It’ll be around a month,” Peet confirmed on Havard.

“It’s a grade two hamstring.

“He’ll miss a chunk of games, which is unfortunate and ties in with us getting Kaide and Kai back.

“You do hope that at some point you have all your forwards available for selection, but it’s landed fortune I guess that we get two forwards back with Ethan out.

“They’ve been working really hard.

“Kaide was playing well, he was gutted to miss a block. But what it does mean is we get a fresh version of Kaide now hopefully for the remainder of the season.

“Kai is someone who probably missed out on a full pre-season given the World Cup, and he was carrying a few knocks out of that and last season.

“I do feel we’re going to see an improved version of Kai, physically and mentally.”

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