Wilshere's Wolves career over before it got going (From Warrington Guardian)

Wilshere's Wolves career over before it got going

WARRINGTON Wolves are to release winger John Wilshere on medical grounds and move back within the wage boundaries set by the Rugby Football League.

Super League clubs are only allowed to give 20 players an annual salary of £20,000 or more but Wolves had committed to paying 21 first teamers that amount before Wilshere's shock departure.

The 26-year-old Papau New Guinea international has played only eight games since joining Wolves from Aussie outfit St George Illawarra at the end of the 2002 season.

Wolves are concerned by his long-standing knee problem and have decided to terminate his contract.

They are entitled to do so as Wilshere was injured for more than six months of his debut season with the club.

But Wilshere has a year left on his contract and is therefore entitled to a 'pay off release'.

Wolves coach Paul Cullen said: "We are currently negotiating a settlement with the player.

"It is a great shame because his Warrington Wolves career never really got going. He has had terrible luck with injuries and I would like to thank him for the work that he did for us and wish him well for the future.

"He is as disappointed as we are that he will be moving on."

Wilshere's departure looks set to leave Dean Gaskell and Henry Fa'afili as Wolves' first choice wingers next season.

Gaskell is a product of Wolves' Academy set-up while New Zealand international Fa'afili was recruited towards the end of last season when it became apparent that Wilshere would play no further part.

Cullen said: "Henry and Dean are our most natural wingers but Brent Grose, Ben Westwood, Graham Appo and Daryl Cardiss can also play there.

"They all offer different styles and different options so I won't be looking to recruit another winger. I will go with the talent that we've already got."

Wilshere signed for Wolves with a reputation for being a deadly finisher and a menace under the high bomb.

He scored five tries in his first seven outings before breaking his cheekbone at London.

The injury sidelined him for six weeks and Wilshere then suffered knee ligament damage in his comeback game at home to St Helens.

The injury proved to be far more stubborn than the club had anticipated and he eventually had an operation near the end of the season after a cartilage tear was diagnosed.

Wilshere has yet to make a full recovery and Cullen said: "John is back home in Australia. He has not made sufficient recovery from a very troublesome knee operation.

"The diagnosis of the injury kept changing as he failed to recover from the injury and it would have been a risk to keep him at the club next season."