Widnes boss John Kear delivers on word after signing Wigan youngster on loan

Widnes boss John Kear has followed up on his word by bringing in Wigan youngster Zach Eckersley on a one-month loan deal. 

Following his side’s exit from the Challenge Cup, Kear insisted that he would look to Super League clubs to help shake up his Vikings squad.

Eckersley, 19, joins on a short-term loan deal, having first joined Wigan on a scholarship deal at the age of 14 from amateur side Waterhead.

He made his debut for the Warriors in August 2022, coming off the bench during their 38-28 defeat at Hull KR. 

The outside-back has already spent time on loan at fellow Championship side London Broncos this season, scoring once in four appearances.

He could make his Vikings debut against Swinton Lions on Good Friday in the Championship. 

John Kear to shake up squad

League 1’s Dewsbury ran in six tries to two in a 32-12 triumph over the Vikings in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup, dumping Kear’s side also out of the 1895 Cup.

He said following the defeat: “I’ll be ringing around Super League coaches to see if anybody’s available for loan deals, and I’ll be changing some of the players for Friday, because that’s just unacceptable.”

In the Championship, the part-time side sit in a respectable fourth place on the table, having won four of their seven league games to date.

Since the start of the year, Widnes have lost prop Josh Johnson to Bradford and Will Evans left the club without making an appearance to return to his native Australia.

Half-back Tom Gilmore has been sidelined since appearing in the opening game of the season at York through injury.

Hooker Jordan Johnstone has also been limited to three appearances, the latest being the defeat to Toulouse, due to concussion.

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