Rugby League: Offiah faces long race for fitness

MARTIN OFFIAH could be out of action for up to a month after pulling his hamstring in Wigan's home defeat by Hull on Sunday.

That could give Offiah just two matches to prove his fitness before Great Britain's World Cup final against Australia on 24 October.

Kelvin Skerrett is also to see a specialist after taking a blow to the sternum in the same match that exacerbated his chest condition.

Phil Clarke, Denis Betts and Frano Botica could all be fit for Friday's Lancashire Cup tie at Rochdale, although Martin Dermott will be out for at least another week.

Andrew Farrar, the Australian Test centre, will travel to England this week after his club, Western Suburbs, were knocked out of the Sydney play-offs on Sunday, but he is unlikely to be rushed into the side at Rochdale.

Huddersfield have told Oldham and Swinton that they want pounds 55,000 for their unsettled Australian full- back, Wally Gibson.