ALL the indications are that Ben Westwood will return from a broken hand tomorrow, Friday, and that star forward Ben Currie is not far behind him.

Matty Russell, too, is also on the verge of returning from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined for a number of weeks.

In the case of Currie, I am just as excited as every Wire fan to see him back on the field after 10 months out and, by all accounts, he has handled his absence with class and professionalism.

However, the situation Wolves are in has got me thinking whether he should be brought back for the trip to Wigan, or indeed for any game before the split.

I’m certain Currie himself just wants to get back as soon as possible and the fact it could be at Wigan, his home town club, is an even bigger carrot to dangle.

Furthermore, Wolves’ place in the Middle 8s could be confirmed by the time he is fit to play again, meaning he effectively has two games to build match fitness before the serious stuff starts again.

There is also the argument that Currie will want – and need – as much time as possible to impress Wayne Bennett ahead of the World Cup at season’s end.

Some would even make a case for letting him and other long-term absentees sit out the remainder of the season.

However, given The Wire’s performances this campaign, I would be very surprised if Tony Smith took any sort of chances in the Middle 8s if and when their place within it is confirmed.

Particularly in the case of Currie, I would argue that a couple of weeks’ extra rest would do him no harm.

The injury he suffered was horrific, career-ending for some, so caution is needed as far as bringing him back is concerned.

At only 22 years of age, Currie has his whole career in front of him. Is it worth him risking that to play before he is really needed?

Of course, no game against Wigan is a dead rubber as far as fans are concerned, no matter what may or may not be at stake, but it is important to look at the bigger picture.

Currie is a smart lad and will have taken this into account, but he is also a rugby league player who has been forced to watch on for the best part of a year.

He will be straining at the leash and I do not blame him, but I would be minded to hold him back.

That said, resting your star forward for a game against Wigan so he can be fresh to face Hull KR and London Broncos?

There won’t have been many people thinking that would be the scenario at this stage of the season!

Welcome to the new reality…