Wigan sweat over Fielden's disciplinary hearing

Wigan have a disciplinary worry hanging over prop forward Stuart Fielden for Friday's Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final with Salford.

The former Great Britain international has been ordered to appear before the Rugby Football League's disciplinary panel today on two separate charges arising from the Warriors' 16-8 Super League defeat at Warrington last Friday. Fielden, who has missed just one of Wigan's 16 league and cup matches so far this year, has been accused of raising his knee going into a tackle and has also been charged with using foul and abusive language to match referee Ben Thaler.

Wigan are making plans to fly stand-off Tim Smith back from Australia, where is currently on compassionate leave, but are unsure whether he will arrive in time to play at the JJB Stadium on Friday. Coach Brian Noble is more confident of having the services of centre George Carmont and second rower Phil Bailey, who both missed the Warrington game through injury.

Salford will be without winger Darrell Goulding, who is on loan from Wigan and cup-tied, but the return to fitness of New Zealand scrum-half Jeremy Smith and Australian prop Craig Stapleton means coach Shaun McRae can select from an otherwise full-strength squad.

"Both Stapo and Jeremy Smith will be available and come into the squad but it's far too early to say who will be play at this stage," McRae said. Salford, who have won their last three matches, knocked Wigan out of the cup in 1996 and 2006.

Castleford will be without Australian scrum-half Brent Sherwin for their quarter-final at Huddersfield on Sunday but are confident his ankle injury is not season-ending.