Breaking news: Mike Cooper describes his hopeful outlook and journey to recovery despite a protracted layoff scare.

Despite facing another injury setback, veteran Mike Cooper of the cherry and white remained upbeat, acknowledging it as part and parcel of his profession. The 35-year-old recently returned to action for Wigan Warriors against Castleford Tigers at the DW Stadium after undergoing knee surgery following an injury sustained against Penrith Panthers in February.

Thankfully, Cooper avoided a lengthy spell on the sidelines, contrasting with the severe injury that prematurely ended his 2023 season. Reflecting on his recent injury, Cooper remarked, “I snapped the only thing I didn’t snap last time.” He described the recovery process as relatively smooth, missing seven games before making his comeback in Super League Round 8.

Discussing the recent injury, which occurred during Wigan’s victory in the World Club Challenge, Cooper revealed, “I felt it crack in the first couple of minutes.” Despite the setback, Cooper maintained a resilient attitude, stating, “This is part of the job… those types of things (injuries) don’t really get me down.” He acknowledged the rarity of such injuries in his 19-year career but accepted them as an inherent risk in professional sports.

Returning to action against Castleford Tigers, Cooper expressed relief at completing the game without further injury. He praised the opposition’s performance and credited his teammates for their response to halftime adjustments. Additionally, Cooper commended the emergence of young talents in the squad, highlighting Junior Nsemba, Harvie Hill, and Zach Eckersley, and emphasized the healthy competition for places within the team.