LOOKING at the Super League table, it is hard to believe Saturday’s clash at The Halliwell Jones Stadium is between last year’s Grand Finalists.

Wigan come into the game in arguably worse form than The Wire, making this Challenge Cup tie equally as big for them.

Like Wolves, Wigan’s league position makes the Challenge Cup their most likely route to delivering the silverware their fans expect.

Shaun Wane’s side sit seventh, with their sixth-round win at Swinton their only success in nearly two months.

Their latest setback came in the form of a humiliating 50-34 defeat to cross-town rivals Leigh on Thursday.

For the second season running, the Warriors have been beset by injuries that has seen them shorn of key players.

However, much to Wane’s relief, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.

Skipper Sean O’Loughlin is set to return on Saturday, as is England full-back Sam Tomkins, who has not played since the Super 8s victory over The Wire on September 16 last year.

Key second rower John Bateman is also in contention to play, as is centre Anthony Gelling and hooker Sam Powell.

Amid their raft of absences, Wane has given several youngsters a chance in the first team this season and one in particular has grabbed his chance with both hands.

Winger Liam Marshall has taken to Super League like a duck to water. His tally of 18 league tries is bettered only by Castleford’s free-scoring Greg Eden.

Marshall has taken a liking to playing against The Wire, scoring seven tries in his two games against them in 2017.