MITCHELL Dodds is due to arrive in Warrington next week, but may miss the first game of the 2016 season.

The 26-year-old prop, who has signed with Wolves on a one-year deal, has had a pin removed after surgery on a hand injury sustained with former side Brisbane Broncos.

“He had the pins out (on Monday) and has got to go and see his consultant on the 16th,” explained head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith. “Then he’s on the plane to arrive here on the 18th.

“We need the all clear for him from his specialist over there and then he can come.

“It’ll be touch and go for the first game, I reckon. We’ll just have to go partly on his consultant, see how well the operation’s healed and then he should be back around the start of the season time.

“If he missed a game it would only be one, I’d say.”

James Laithwaite has had a follow-up operation on his ankle, while Stefan Ratchford is yet to resume full training after off-season knee and shoulder surgery.

“There are a few who are not quite back, but not far off,” said Smith. “James Laithwaite’s follow-up operation has set him back a little bit, but only by about two weeks.

“If we hadn’t have had it done he probably would have been another three of four months. So it was an operation that was necessary last week. He should be back just after the start of the season.”

The former Great Britain coach added: “That’s just part and parcel of rugby league, to treat your injuries, and nobody is doing it better than Stef.

“He’s a bit frustrated. He’d love to be outside with the rest of the boys, but he’s got to be a bit patient with that.

“He’s still indoors and doing some skill work in the barn, but it’s mainly rehab and weights at the moment.”