Lam to consider future

Adrian Lam is to consider his Wigan future after Easter.

The former Papua New Guinea captain and coach has been made favourite with Super League sponsors Betfred to keep the job for 2020 following Shaun Edwards' about-turn.

Lam was appointed in a stop-gap capacity following the departure of long-serving coach Shaun Wane at the end of last season and was due to return to Australia in October after handing over the reins to Edwards.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan says he will announce the club's fresh plans in "due course" and Lam, speaking at a joint press conference with St Helens to preview the Good Friday derby at the DW Stadium, admitted he could be open to staying on.

"Obviously events have happened this week that everybody knows about,'' said the former Wigan half-back. Up until this point I've not really thought about it.

"It's not really the week to focus on it too much and it's something I'll consider in the next week.

"I was always going home in October - that was the plan from the start and still is at this point in time.

"It wasn't in my thinking but things change.

"Like I said, as the week unfolds, I'll think about it next week. 

"We've got a massive weekend now with Friday and doubling up on Monday, and my priority now is making sure we get that right.''

Lam, whose side are third from bottom of the table after winning just three of their first 10 matches, hopes to have skipper Sean O'Loughlin back for the visit of the table-toppers.

The England loose forward has missed the last three matches with a calf injury and will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness. 

"He is the most experienced player in the comp,'' Lam said. "It's not only the value he brings the team, but when you look around the dressing room at the start of the game and he's here as captain, it gives hope to the players around him.

"We've got a lot of young players at the moment and they need that senior figure between them.'' Lam will also make a late decision on prop Ben Flower but welcomes back full-back Zak Hardaker, who pulled out of last Friday's 30-20 defeat at Wakefield because of a family emergency.

Wigan have lost hooker Sam Powell to suspension following a controversial game against Wakefield Trinity, whose coach Chris Chester accused his opponents of "naughty tactics''.

Lam responded at Tuesday's press conference, saying: "It was a little unfair I thought looking back at the video.

"I'm not sure where that's come from - it's not something I coach and it's ridiculous in that sense.

"We'll move on - nothing will change the way we play.''

Meanwhile, St Helens coach Justin Holbrook says he will check on the fitness of scrum-half Theo Fages before finalising his line-up. The French international has missed Saints' last two games with a hip injury.