WARRINGTON Wolves return for the first time to the site of their season-ending play-offs loss tonight.

Wigan Warriors progressed to the Grand Final at the visitors’ expense in October last year, signalling the end of captain Michael Monaghan’s career and a return to Australia for forward Trent Waterhouse.

Wigan were narrow 16-12 winners on the night at the DW Stadium as they booked a spot at Old Trafford against St Helens.

Forward Ben Flower was sent off two minutes into that game following a punch to an unconscious Lance Hohaia, earning the Wigan man a six-month ban.

That ban ends this week and Flower has been named in Shaun Wane’s squad, while John Bateman returns from a one-game ban for the hosts.

However, Wigan and England skipper Sean O’Loughlin has failed to recover from a knee injury in time to face Warrington.

Wolves also suffered an agonising defeat the last time these two met in the regular season, a 24-20 defeat away from home in September.

In fact, Tony Smith’s side have failed to beat Wigan in their last four meetings, with June 2013 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium the last time the points went to the boys in primrose and blue.

That was a 22-12 success.

Wane has added to his squad this season with Lee Mossop, from Parramatta Eels, Huddersfield Giants loanee Larne Patrick and former Wakefield man Taulima Tautai.