Tommy Leuluai returns for the Warriors as they prepare to face Salford Red Devils

There is a huge boost this weekend for the Wigan Warriors as they welcome back captain Tommy Leuluai to their 21-man squad ahead of their trip to the AJ Bell Stadium to face the Salford Red Devils.

The match follows on from a successful two weeks for the visitors who just under a fortnight ago, won their 20^th Challenge Cup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a dramatic late win over the Huddersfield Giants.

The win was followed up by a comeback victory over Castleford Tigers who succumbed to the Warriors’ pressure in the second half and didn’t have enough quality to withhold their early lead.

It’s been a rarity in recent times for the Challenge Cup final winners to go on and win their next game with just three teams in the last decade managing the feat, but Matt Peet’s side defied the odds and came back to get another two points at the Jungle.

As for Salford, they’ve found their results to be fairly inconsistent with just five wins all season.

After beating Castleford and Leeds in their last two home games, the Devils failed to build on their back-to-back victories as they fell to a heavy defeat at Craven Park against Hull KR last time out.

But with two homes wins on the bounce, Paul Rowley will be looking to continue the decent home form with an unexpected win over Matt Peet’s men.

As for the team news, as previously mentioned, the Warriors have Tommy Leuluai back available for selection after missing out in the win over Castleford.

The Kiwi rushed back from an injury suffered in the Good Friday defeat to St Helens to ensure he was back in time for the Challenge Cup final in which proved to be a risk worth taking.

It was probably a smart move by resting Leuluai for a week after the miraculous recovery which was originally meant to be 12 weeks, but he has been named in this weeks squad in place of Ian Thornley who now faces a spell on the side-line through injury.

Also missing is Cade Cust after he dislocated his elbow in the later stages of the Challenge Cup final.

As for the hosts, they remain hounded with injuries as they are still without forwards Greg Burke, Shane Wright, King Vuniyayawa and James Greenwood.

But they are boosted with the return of Andy Ackers who is named in the squad ahead of Friday nights clash.

With Salford’s recent home form, it’s certainly set up for an interesting tie on Friday night with the two sides known in recent times for having close, intense encounters.

The last time these two sides met was just a matter of weeks ago as the Warriors won in dramatic fashion with a deciding try from Jai Field two minutes from time proving the winner.

So if that match-up is anything to go by, we could be in for a classic at the AJ Bell.

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