| Wigan hopeful over Deacon fitness • 31-year-old has been suffering with long-term groin injury• Rated as "50-50" ahead of Friday's sudden-death matchWigan have not given up hope of their play-off veteran Paul Deacon being available for Friday's sudden-death match against Hull KR, despite the recurrence of a groin problem that forced him out of their defeat by Leeds on Sunday.Deacon, who won three and lost two of five consecutive Grand Finals for Bradford between 2001-5, had initially been thought unlikely to play again this season, which would have been a major blow to Wigan's hopes of reaching Old Trafford for the first time since 2003.But the Warriors coach Michael Maguire today described him as "a 50-50 chance", and is likely to include the 31-year-old in the 19-man squad for the Hull KR game that he is required to name tomorrow."He's seeing the specialist today so there is still a chance where he might be able to get out and run," Maguire said. "He's probably a 50-50 chance at the moment and I'll give him the rest of the week to find out if he's going to be available."Wigan were leading 12-0 before Deacon hobbled off after 10 minutes against Leeds, and sorely missed his direction and kicking game as they went down 27-26 to squander the advantage of finishing top of the Super League table. Leeds and St Helens have now earned a bye through this weekend's preliminary semi finals, and will have home advantage in the qualifying semi finals that determine who plays at Old Trafford.Wigan will have Iafeta Paleaaesina, the Samoan prop who is to join Salford next season, available against Hull KR after he was ruled out of the Leeds game by a knee injury, and Maguire may also consider recalling the Australian wing Amos Roberts.Rovers will again be without Liam Watts, the 20-year-old forward who was last night named Rookie of the Year at the Albert Goldthorpe awards ceremony – with the Wigan team-mates Pat Richards and Sam Tomkins sharing the main award determined by weekly ratings in the League Express newspaper.Malcolm Alker, who has retired after making thousands of tackles for Salford over the last 13 seasons, was given a lifetime achievement award.Leeds will discover later today whether their Australian hooker Danny Buderus is available for their next play-off game. Buderus has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing after being put on report for an alleged spear tackle against Wigan.The Rhinos have already suffered one savage blow to their hopes of winning a fourth consecutive title with Danny McGuire ruled out for the rest of this season and possibly a fair chunk of next after suffering serious knee ligament damage in the dramatic closing stages at Wigan.Wigan WarriorsRugby leagueAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
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