Super League match preview: Wigan Warriors v Salford City Reds
Super League leaders Wigan Warriors host Salford City Reds in a top-versus-bottom clash at the DW Stadium.
Last Updated: 03/05/13 7:23pm
Shaun Wane's side sit at the top of the standings having won their last six league outings, while the Reds occupy 13th spot, despite a 34-30 win against Castleford Tigers last time in new head coach Brian Noble's first game in charge.
The Warriors are looking to complete a 2013 double over the Reds following their opening 42-0 success back in February but Wane is taking nothing for granted.
He told the club's official website: "Salford had an important win last week and we are expecting a tough game this Friday. They have some players with some real Super League experience, Stephen Wild, Wayne Godwin and Martin Gleeson, all ex-Wigan players with a lot of games under their belt. They will want to come to the DW and they will want to play.
"Ryan McGoldrick has always been a good player and the young French player Fages has good skills. I have seen them do some good things in recent weeks and we will not be under-estimating them.
"I am wanting a really good performance from the team, I don't want to limp into the Hull KR Cup game the week after, I want us to go into that game on the back of a good performance, a good win and with confidence."
Wane gives a third outing of the season to Anthony Gelling in place of winger Pat Richards, who has a slight leg injury, while prop forward Greg Burke is back after sitting out the win at Hull.
New Salford boss Noble recalls on-loan utility back Lee Gaskell after a three-match injury absence in the only change to the side that beat Castleford.
Wigan 19-man squad: Burke, Charnley, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hansen, Hughes, Mellorum, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Smith, Taylor, Thornley, L Tomkins, S Tomkins.
Salford 19-man squad: Ashurst, Broughton, Dixon, Emmitt, Fages, Foran, Gaskell, Gibson, Gleeson, Godwin, Griffin, James, Mauro, McGoldrick, Neal, Sneyd, A Walne, Wild, Williams.