Warrington looking to replace injured duo

Warrington could be forced to bring in new players after suffering two long-term injuries at Bradford at the weekend.

The Wolves coach, Paul Cullen, fears that he could have lost two important players, the centre Ben Westwood and his loose forward, Sid Domic, for a minimum of two months. Westwood has broken his leg, while Domic has a compound fracture and dislocation of his thumb.

To make matters worse, Lee Briers' shoulder problem, which has kept him out of the last two games, is worse than first thought. An examination has revealed a previous break and he is to see another specialist this week. Cullen is now looking at possible new signings before the injury toll undermines Warrington's promising start to the season.

Leeds have admitted that they would be interested in the former Australian Test winger, Nathan Blacklock, if he returns to rugby league. The top try-scorer in two successive seasons in Australia, Blacklock switched to rugby union with New South Wales last year, but now says that he wants to return to league.

"If he was available, we would certainly be interested and we do have room on our overseas quota,'' said the Leeds chief executive, Gary Hetherington. "He's the sort of player who would add numbers to any club's attendances.''

Wigan have ruled themselves out of the bidding, despite releasing Julian O'Neill to Widnes last week.

Their coach, Stuart Raper, is expected to be without Stephen Wild and Brett Dallas, as well as his other long-term injury victims, for the Challenge Cup semi-final against Bradford on Sunday.

That match will be refereed by Steve Ganson, with Russell Smith taking charge of Leeds versus St Helens the previous day. They and their colleagues have been told by the Rugby League's technical executive, Stuart Cummings, to cut out over-familiarity with players during matches, after complaints that some referees are calling players by their nicknames.

Salford have applied for planning permission for a new £35m 20,000-capacity stadium to be built close to Barton Bridge on the M60, by the start of the 2005 season.