THE number of Warrington Wolves players currently unavailable through injury does not look as though it will decrease in the immediate short-term.

Star half-back George Williams was confirmed as the latest injury blow to head coach Sam Burgess – he was forced to watch from the sidelines against Hull FC on Friday having picked up an ankle injury.

Here, we take a look at the players who are currently on the Halliwell Jones Stadium treatment table and, based on the timeframes given, pick out the potential dates for their returns…

GEORGE WILLIAMS

Injury: Sprained ankle

Burgess confirmed the England captain suffered his injury during the early stages of the Round One loss to Catalans Dragons.

While he was able to finish that game, he succumbed for Friday’s win over Hull and Burgess told the media he would be without his star half-back for “three to four weeks.”

That would rule him out of at least the next two games – Castleford Tigers’ visit to The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday and Wire’s trip to Hull KR on March 9 – but could see him return for the visit to London Broncos on March 17.

A four-week absence would see him return to contention for the Challenge Cup sixth round over the weekend of March 23-24.

Warrington Guardian: George Williams was forced to watch from the sidelines

MATTY NICHOLSON

Injury: Groin

We are yet to see the second rower in either competitive or friendly action this year having been hampered by a groin issue throughout pre-season.

He was initially hoping to be fit for the new season but suffered a setback to rule him out longer-term.

Last week, Burgess said he would be missing for another six to eight weeks and based on that, we should not expect to see Nicholson in action until the Round Seven trip to Leeds Rhinos on April 5 at the earliest.

Warrington Guardian:

RODRICK TAI

Injury: Knee

The new signing for 2024’s hopes of forcing his way into the side received a blow when he suffered his knee injury during pre-season training.

He had been named to play in the friendly against Widnes Vikings but was forced to withdraw from that match and he has been unavailable since.

Like Nicholson, Burgess said he too would miss another six to eight weeks but hinted he was not as close to a return as his teammate.

Another eight weeks on the sidelines would mean a return to contention in time for the Round Eight home match against Leigh Leopards on April 20.

Warrington Guardian:

LUKE THOMAS

Injury: ACL

The young prop had looked set for a more prominent role in the first team this year having impressed Burgess and the coaching staff enough to be awarded a new three-year contract.

However, hopes of 2024 being his breakthrough year were dashed when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury – often labelled as the worst a sportsman can suffer – during Joe Philbin’s Testimonial match against Leigh Leopards.

As such, Thomas’ year is over before it started with Burgess confirming the Wales international would miss the entire season as part of the recovery process.

Warrington Guardian: Luke Thomas is helped from the field