CO-CAPTAIN Jack Hughes will miss The Wire's 2020 season opener against Wigan Warriors.

The second rower has not yet fully recovered from post-season hernia surgery and will miss the clash with his former club at the DW Stadium.

Despite head coach Steve Price hinting both were in the with a chance of playing, new signings Gareth Widdop and Leilani Latu are both absent from his 21-man squad.

Widdop is still recovering from an ankle injury while Latu only arrived in the UK on Sunday following his move from Gold Coast Titans.

New signings Matty Ashton and Anthony Gelling are both set for their Wire debuts, with the former set to start at full-back with Stefan Ratchford alongside Blake Austin in the halves.

Wire squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Matty Ashton, Blake Austin, Luther Burrell, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Anthony Gelling, Chris Hill, Luis Johnson, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Jake Mamo, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Danny Walker​

Wigan are missing three players through injury - centre Oliver Gildart has a dislocated shoulder while prop Ben Flower and winger Dom Manfredi are still building fitness.

However, reigning Man of Steel Jackson Hastings and fellow new addition George Burgess are both set for their  debuts.

Wigan squad: Zak Hardaker, Liam Marshall, Chris Hankinson, Joe Burgess, Bevan French, Tommy Leuluai, Tony Clubb, Sam Powell, George Burgess, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Sean O'Loughlin, Joe Greenwood, Morgan Smithies, Oliver Partington, Joe Bullock, Liam Byrne, Jake Bibby, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Jackson Hastings.