Head coach Matt Peet has stated that Wigan Warriors star fullback Jai Field will miss six to eight weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old striker took a blow early in the victory at Wembley, and the manager of Wigan disclosed the injury after the Challenge Cup Final and before the Super League Round 14 match against Castleford Tigers.
The timeline has now been verified by scans, with Ryan Hampshire and Harry Smith named in the halves and reigning Man of Steel Bevan French moved to the back for the most recent 10-8 triumph at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
The Warriors coach did not stop praising his starting number one for his bravery in staying on the field as the Cherry and Whites defeated Warrington Wolves 18-8 to win the Challenge Cup for the 21st time in the nation’s capital. Field also helped set up Liam Farrell’s game-winning try.
“To be honest, I assumed it would take two or three weeks because he won the Challenge Cup Final. Thus, I was a little taken aback at first.
However, I believe that his actions that day were extremely remarkable and shouldn’t go underappreciated because we would have faced consequences had he chosen to opt out.
“It makes me realise how tough he played that day, and we won’t rush him back.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors boss also confirmed a long-term injury blow to rising hooker Tom Forber, suffered out on dual-registration with Championship outfit Barrow Raiders.
The 21-year-old has featured three times this season to date, with Peet admitting the timing of the injury is unfortunate with the academy product having been likely to pick up some more senior minutes.
Peet explained: “The timing is a bit of a shame for Tom, because the way the games have been around the Challenge Cup and this one (London Broncos), he would have been someone who would have picked up some game time.
“But he suffered an ankle strain while playing on loan, so he’s not been training and he’s out for quite a while.”
