Carney suffers hamstring blow

Wigan have ruled Brian Carney out for the rest of the season, but the Test winger is still hoping to be fit to play for Great Britain in the autumn.

Wigan have ruled Brian Carney out for the rest of the season, but the Test winger is still hoping to be fit to play for Great Britain in the autumn.

Carney has struggled with a hamstring injury and his coach, Denis Betts, yesterday resigned himself to being without him against Leeds this Friday and in the Grand Final, should Wigan get there. "It's taking time to strengthen the muscle," Betts said. "Unless he can really prove himself and say he's 101 per cent, he won't play." Carney insisted that the news was not all bad. "I won't be able to play on Friday, but it's good that the problem has been identified," he said. "I'm confident that I'll be fit to play in two weeks and be available for Great Britain." Betts added that Sean O'Loughlin will be fit for Friday, despite rib damage last weekend.

Leigh and Whitehaven have been told they will both qualify for promotion to Super League if they win the National League One Grand Final on Sunday. Whitehaven have taken the main prizes in the National League One awards, with Sam Obst as player of the year and Steve McCormack as coach.

St Helens have agreed new contracts with Ade Gardner, James Roby and Ian Hardman while Martin Hall has quit as Hull KR's coachand is already being linked with the vacancy at his hometown club, Oldham.