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Let's be honest, we've already adapted - long ago in fact - to life without Dom.

If he breaks down again on his return, it won't be much of a blow to us - except that it'll yet another player taking up salary cap space and giving very little in return.

If he suffers another long-term injury after this one, I'm sure that someone at the club will feel that a decision is necessary. Sentiment only goes so far in professional sport.

I think he proved in his short spell back in the team last year that there’s still a top class player in there ‘if’ he can get on the field. As Cruncher says there’s no expectation of having him the side anymore and it would be a bonus rather than an expectation to have him back in the side. It’s incredibly cruel the luck he’s had with injuries and theres obviously some genetic problem with his knees that you wonder if he can get over.

I read an interesting comment on the other forum a few weeks back from somebody saying they should bulk him up and convert him in to a second rower. He’s got incredible strength and is tough as they come defensively and you wonder if he play more towards the middle it may cut back on the amount of jumping, twisting, turning etc he needs to do and allow him to play a bit more up and down. I’m no sports scientist but it sounded a shout to somebody with zero knowledge of knee problems.

NickyKiss wrote:

I think he proved in his short spell back in the team last year that there’s still a top class player in there ‘if’ he can get on the field. As Cruncher says there’s no expectation of having him the side anymore and it would be a bonus rather than an expectation to have him back in the side. It’s incredibly cruel the luck he’s had with injuries and theres obviously some genetic problem with his knees that you wonder if he can get over.

I read an interesting comment on the other forum a few weeks back from somebody saying they should bulk him up and convert him in to a second rower. He’s got incredible strength and is tough as they come defensively and you wonder if he play more towards the middle it may cut back on the amount of jumping, twisting, turning etc he needs to do and allow him to play a bit more up and down. I’m no sports scientist but it sounded a shout to somebody with zero knowledge of knee problems.

What a shout that is. The thought had never even occurred to me. As powerful and explosive as they come and is a right sided player. I see only positives with this idea. Huddersfield have managed it with Aaron Murphy and he is not a patch on Manfredi will all due respect.

Saints stuck by Johnny Lomax and that's paid off big time for them.

My personal point of view is that I'm glad it isn't like the old days when, if a player had a bad injury it was tough t€try and bye bye. Think Wigan are doing the right thing.

I'm not sure what the statistics are regarding whether 2nd rowers suffer less from knee injuries than outside backs but regardless of this the suggestion is not a bad one. We've struggled to find a right sided attacking threat in the back row and Manfredi would certainly offer that without losing anything in defence.

That said, for my money he's the best winger in Superleague when fit and, provided we could get him back on the field for an extended period, I would always want the best players in their best positions. The big caveat though is the 'if'. If it's terrible luck then, as Lomax is currently showing, it needn't follow that it will keep happening, even if that appears to be the case at the time. However if it's something else (like the generic weakness mentioned above) then that's a different story and if moving to 2nd row would keep him playing I think that would benefit both club and player.

Hoping for a Lomax situation.

Absolutely class when fit, up there with Makinson as the best winger in the league.

In an ideal world we have all 4 wingers next year, Manfredi and Davies return to full fitness then we wave bye bye to Burgess at the end of the year leaving the other 3.

Marshall has been sensational this year.

Hopefully with the reserve grade coming back will improve his situation drop him in a few games whilst going through training with the first team. The lads too much of a talent to give up on. Just don’t need to rush him back, which maybe we have been guilty of in the past with him.

Ovavoo wrote:

Saints stuck by Johnny Lomax and that's paid off big time for them.

My personal point of view is that I'm glad it isn't like the old days when, if a player had a bad injury it was tough t€try and bye bye. Think Wigan are doing the right thing.

To be fair to Wigan they stuck by Nigel Wright for a good few seasons of injury.

Manfredi and Johnstone are in the same situation I believe. 2 long term injuries that have hampered 2 absolutely quality players. Both these players imo have the potential to be top quality international stars and I hope we get to see both of them overcome the injuries. Credit to Wigan and wakey for standing by them but anybody can see players like this don’t come around too often and are game changers.

Hope to see them both lining up against each other fully fit and shifting in some good try’s. Always enjoy watching class players no matter who they play for.