Wigan Warriors manager confirms injured striker ahead of Leigh Leopards clash

Ahead of Friday night’s clash with Leigh Leopards, Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet has confirmed Kruise Leeming is set for around six weeks on the sidelines with a syndesmotic ankle injury.

Before the international break, hooker Leeming was forced off the field in Wigan’s 36-0 win over London Broncos at The Brick Community Stadium.

Leeming came off the bench against the Broncos and played around 25 minutes, but left the field in the early stages of the second half following a tackle on London forward Emmanuel Waine, for which Papua New Guinea was booked for sin.

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Wigan Warriors manager confirms the extent of Kruise Leeming’s injury ahead of Leigh Leopards clash

After the game, Peet confirmed that he “thought” it was an ankle injury and it turned out to be.

The 28-year-old is set to be out of action until mid-August, as the Warriors boss revealed in Wednesday’s ‘Battle of the Borough’ press conference against Leigh.

With Leeming not included in his 21-man squad, Peet detailed: “Kruise has a sprain, so he’ll probably be out for about six weeks.

“Other than that, I think we’re fine.”

Also called a “high ankle sprain,” an injury to the syndesmosis ligaments results in a loss of stability at the base of the tibia and especially the ankle.

As a result, Leeming has reduced movement of the ankle joint and may have reduced balance, stability and strength. Leigh’s Louis Brogan suffered the same injury earlier this season.

If the six-week window is correct, Leeming looks set to be sidelined until the Magic Weekend when Peet’s side take on St Helens at Elland Road.

Before then though, there are some huge fixtures for Wigan to face…

• Leigh Leopards (H) – Friday 5th July
• St Helens (H) – Friday 12 July
• Hull FC (A) – Saturday 20 July
• Warrington Wolves (H) – Friday, July 26
• Huddersfield Giants (H) – Thursday 1 August
• Leigh Leopards (H) – Tuesday 6th August
• Leeds Rhinos (A) – Saturday 10 August

Jake Wardle was also forced off with an ankle problem in their win over London before the international break but was named in Peet’s 21-man squad for Friday’s visit of Leigh and Peet confirmed that the center was in full fitness in its press. .

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