Injury setback for Wigan's Fielden

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Wigan will be without their Test prop Stuart Fielden for up to four months following knee surgery. The experienced front-rower had an operation on the knee during the winter and his attempts at a comeback have been thwarted by a recurrence of the injury. "Although the operation was successful, recovery and full rehab will take between 12 and 16 weeks," said his coach, Michael Maguire.

Martin Gleeson's agent has denied that the centre has flown to Australia or severed his links with Wigan. "As far as I know, he's still a Wigan player," said Andy Clarke, who represents the player. Gleeson is understood to have been sacked by the club for disciplinary reasons. It is believed a meeting yesterday could have resolved the terms of his severance agreement.

Leeds have seven first-team props unavailable for tomorrow's game at Salford. Luke Burgess is the latest front-rower to succumb to injury, with a knee strain. He joins Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and Ryan Bailey among the casualties, while Ben Cross is suspended.