REPORTS: Prior to their matchup with Wigan Warriors at Wembley, Warrington Wolves suffer an injury blow.

Head coach Sam Burgess has confirmed that Warrington Wolves’ forward Joe Philbin will not be available for the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley against Wigan Warriors.

As to the Warrington Guardian, the international prop has sustained an adductor injury, following his initial groin problem during the Super League victory against Catalans Dragons.

This Saturday at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Matt Peet’s Warriors and Warrington Wolves will square off in a top-of-the-table Super League matchup. Seven days later, in the capital, they will square off again in the Challenge Cup Final.

With the two teams and St Helens presently tied for first place in the standings with 18 points, Wigan manager Peet has already praised the significance of the two competition points up for grabs.

Liam Byrne, Sam Walters, and Kaide Ellis will return to the Super League champions after their separate suspensions are up, but Warrington star George Williams will miss Saturday’s Round 13 match because of a one-game ban.

Meanwhile, it appears that native prop Philbin will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks due to injury.

“With the exception of Philbin, everyone has recovered well,” head coach Burgess stated. He’s not good; he’ll be absent for a little while.

Wembley will probably lose out on him, which is unfortunate.

We frequently see him there, and he seems like a happy person, so he’ll take it in stride. Being an experienced guy, he has dealt with a few injuries.

Though I’m sorry for him, he will move on.

“We’re still figuring out how severe it is, but he’s probably not going to make the final.”