WARRINGTON Wolves prop Luke Thomas will miss the entire 2024 season.

Head coach Sam Burgess confirmed the devastating news for the prop, who was carried off the field having suffered a knee injury during Joe Philbin’s Testimonial match against Leigh Leopards on Saturday.

Scans have since confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament for the 21-year-old, who signed a new three-year contract extension with the club last month.

However, Burgess has backed him to come back stronger from this most crushing of blows.

“He’s ruptured his ACL, so he’ll be out for the year which is sad news,” he said.

“I’m gutted for him as he’s had a great pre-season but we’ve signed him for another three years because we really value what he brings.

“The challenge now for him is to get in the right headspace and attack his rehab like he’d attacked his pre-season.

“He’ll be back. He’s got a great family so he’ll be okay.

“It’s part of it so you’ve got to try and take the emotion out of injuries, just accept them and give great energy to improving from them. We’ll help him with all of that."

Warrington Guardian: Luke Thomas Is helped off the field after suffering his injury against LeighLuke Thomas Is helped off the field after suffering his injury against Leigh (Image: Mike Boden)

Burgess also officially ruled centre Rodrick Tai and second rower Matty Nicholson out of contention for the Round One trip to Catalans Dragons on February 17 with knee and groin injuries respectively, but could not offer a firm date for their return.

The chances of club captain Stefan Ratchford (calf) and prop Joe Bullock (knee) being available for the game in Perpignan are still rated as 50-50, although neither has resumed full training as of yet.

“We don’t know yet,” Burgess said when asked about when Tai and Nicholson would be available again.

“I’m led by the medical staff on that one but they’re not fit for Round One.”

On Ratchford and Bullock, he added: “They’re both tracking alright and will be close.

“I’d still say they’d be 50-50 but they haven’t trained with the team yet. I need them to train for a full week if they’re going to be up for selection.”