Wigan coach Matt Peet explains Adam Keighran’s shock absence in Leigh clash

Wigan expect to be without Adam Keighran for two weeks through a groin injury, Warriors head coach Matt Peet has confirmed.

The Battle of the Borough takes place on Friday night as Wigan square off against neighbours Leigh at the Leopards’ Den.

Leopards head coach Adrian Lam, who enjoyed a stint as the Warriors’ head coach having represented them during his playing career, teased that he had been told Wigan winger Liam Marshall would be absent in the build-up to the bumper clash.

But when the teamsheets were revealed on gameday, it was in fact centre Keighran that was a shock absentee for the visitors, with experienced winger Marshall fit to start.

Wigan coach Matt Peet explains Adam Keighran’s shock absence in Leigh clash

Zach Eckersley takes Australian ace Keighran’s place in the centres, and the vacant gap on the wing has subsequently been filled by fellow youth product Noah Hodkinson.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off at the Leopards’ Den, Wigan boss Peet clarified why Keighran was missing as he explained: “It was after training, he was doing his regular goal-kicking practice and he’s just tweaked his groin.

“He’ll be out for two weeks.

“It provides an opportunity for Zach to play centre and Noah to wing.”

Bolton-born young gun Hodkinson, who was raised in Leigh, has himself been sidelined for three games after fracturing his skull.

Notably, head coach Peet has opted to carry a back on his bench – with youngster George O’Loughlin named among the Warriors’ four interchanges.

Hosts Leigh have also been forced into a number of changes, with ex-Wigan star Josh Charnley unavailable through a twisted ankle.

David Armstrong moves onto the wing in his place having passed a fitness test of his own, and veteran Gareth O’Brien is in. at full-back.

Elsewhere, Andy Badrock is in at centre having made his long-awaited return from injury on loan for Championship outfit Widnes Vikings as they beat Salford last weekend.

Leigh: Gaz O’Brien, Innes Senior, Andy Badrock, Umyla Hanley, David Armstrong, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Joe Ofahengaue, Liam Horne, Isaac Liu, Owen Trout, Jack Hughes, Louis Brogan; Bench: Robbie Mulhern, Lazarus Vaalepu, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Matt Davis, 18th Man: Ben McNamara

Wigan: Jai Field, Noah Hodkinson, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Harry Smith, Bevan French, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Ollie Partington, Kaide Ellis; Bench: Paddy Mago, Taylor Kerr, George O’Loughlin, Shea O’Connor; 18th Man: Sam Eseh