Keinhorst in for Widnes debut; Sam Tomkins among Wigan absentees

On-loan Leeds centre Jimmy Keinhorst has been named in the 19-man Widnes squad for their home game with Wigan on Friday.

Keinhorst, 27, has joined the Vikings on a month’s loan and helps to ease their injury problems, though fellow centre Charly Runciman is missing from the squad.

Patrick Ah Van and Lloyd White retain their places after making successful comebacks from injury in the cup against Coventry last week, while there is also a welcome return for Hep Cahill.

Half-back Joe Mellor is sidelined, as is co-captain Chris Houston, Chris Dean, Stefan Marsh and Gil Dudson.

Wigan have made four changes to their squad with Sam Tomkins, Joel Tomkins, Ben Flower and Liam Farrell all dropping out.

In their place come Tom Davies, Gabe Hamlin, Josh Ganson and Callum Field.

The Warriors came from 16-0 down to beat the Vikings 32-16 when the two sides met earlier this season at the DW Stadium.

Widnes 19-man squad: Ah Van, Burke, Cahill, Chamberlain, J Chapelhow, T Chapelhow, Craven, Farnworth, Gerrard, Gilmore, Hanbury, Ince, Johnstone, Keinhorst, Leuluai, Olbison, White, Whitley, Wilde.

Wigan 19-man squad: Bateman, Burgess, Clubb, Davies, Escare, Field, Ganson, Gildart, Hamlin, Isa, Leuluai, Marshall, Navarrete, O’Loughlin, Powell, Sarginson, Sutton, Tautai, Williams.