Withers retirement stuns Warriors

Dmac

Withers retirement stuns Warriors



Wigan full-back Michael Withers has been forced to retire with immediate effect after failing to recover from a knee problem.

The 31-year-old, who joined from Bradford last December, scored 108 tries in 170 games for the Bulls but only played a handful of Wigan games.

"It's heart-breaking to have to end in this way," said Withers.

"I'd like to thank Wigan, especially the medics who worked so hard. I'm just sorry their work has been unrewarded."

Coach Brian Noble, who worked with Withers at Bradford, described the news as "a crushing blow for Michael and ourselves.

"He underwent knee surgery after the Leeds game back in April. It was hoped that the operation would be successful and he would recover in time to play for us towards the end of the season.

"In attempting a training session yesterday he broke down and our medical team advised him that he would now need major surgery which effectively means he cannot play again."

Withers now faces an operation which will involve fracturing his knee, and which will take a year to recover from.

"I think Kris Radlinski as well as Andy Farrell went through the same problem," he said.

"I will be visiting the same surgeon and hope to have the operation this week."

Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said Withers had worked hard, but it was just not realistic for him to try and play on.

"We thank Michael for the effort he has made to get back into the game but his own health must come first," he said.

Credit - BBC Sport

To be fair he didn't perform for us anyway because he is getting too old, some can handle the age part but obviously he couldn't so to be honest it isn't that big of a loss.