Injured Finch out for three months

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Wigan will be without one of their key signings for 2011 at the start of the Super League season.

The former Melbourne half-back Brett Finch has injured his neck in training and will need surgery. Although Wigan have not put a timescale on his recovery, it is believed that he could be out for up to three months.

"Brett is a great character and we know he will be looking to get back as soon as possible," said the Wigan coach, Michael Maguire.

Finch's other two Melbourne team-mates, Jeff Lima and Ryan Hoffman, will make their Wigan debuts in the pre-season game at Salford on Sunday.

But they will be without last season's Man of Steel, Pat Richards, who is still recovering from the Achilles tendon he ruptured in the Grand Final.