HENRY Paul is out of Wigan Warriors' home clash with Oldham Bears on Sunday and is almost certain to miss the international Down Under the following week.

Paul has been out of action since sustaining a severe lower back injury against St Helens on Good Friday and although he is slowly improving, is unlikely to risk the long journey to play for New Zealand against Australia. Paul was called up at full-back to replace the injured Matthew Ridge.

Better news for Wigan is that prop Neil Cowie is back in training and available for selection. He and new signing Lee Hansen, provided his work permit comes through, will give Wigan a much more powerful look in the pack.

Warriors, who sold prop Matthew Knowles to Swinton for £20,000 this week, are still strongly linked with Halifax Blue Sox hooker Paul Rowley. Warrington are hot on his trail but the Yorkshire club have offered the former Leigh star a new contract.

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