Carney faces two months out after breaking ankle

Brian Carney, Wigan's Great Britain winger, will be out of action for at least two months after breaking his ankle during the Powergen Challenge Cup victory over Widnes on Sunday.

Carney broke his ankle in two places and had an operation last night. It is another major blow to Wigan, who also have Andy Farrell, Adrian Lam, Mick Cassidy and David Hodgson ruled out for extended periods.

The Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, says they would like to sign a short-term replacement for the Irishman, but cannot do so. "The salary cap rules prevent you from signing anyone, even in an emergency like this, which is one of the reasons that I have always said that the salary cap is flawed," he said.

The Rugby League says there is insufficient evidence to take action on a complaint of gouging made by Widnes after their defeat by Wigan. Castleford's Sean Ryan has been told he has no case to answer after being placed on report for suspected use of the forearm in the win over Union Treiziste Catalane.

The switch of Rochdale's Powergen Cup tie to the new Halliwell Jones Stadium could mean a financial windfall for the National League club, because the expected 5,000 crowd at Warrington tonight will be more than double the projection if the Hornets had been at home.