Gregory 'overwhelmed' by Wolves fund-raiser

Wigan's ill coach, Mike Gregory, has paid tribute to his former club Warrington, who are staging a fund-raising match against Widnes for their former captain tomorrow.

Gregory said: "I'm overwhelmed by what Warrington are doing for me and my family.Their support for me has been outstanding."

Gregory has not worked since coaching Wigan in the Challenge Cup final in 2004. Wigan have said that he is suffering from motor neurone disease, but he believes that he has muscular atrophy, brought on by a tick bite in Australia, which may yet respond to treatment.

"He's a fighter and that is what is carrying him through this cruel illness," said the Warrington coach and his former team-mate Paul Cullen. "I'd urge supporters of all clubs to be there in their club colours."

That will include many from Wigan, although there will be no official representation. They finished paying his contract in October and Gregory is taking them to court under disability legislation in March.

Wigan's second-rower Bryan Fletcher is clear of cancer after an emergency bowel operation. He hopes to play by mid-March.