WIGAN skipper Andy Farrell will be held back from first team action for another week as coach Stuart Raper prepares for an onslaught from Super League's big guns.

Farrell, who has been out of action for three weeks after picking up a knee injury in the first round defeat to Castleford, looked certain to return for the trip to Wakefield.

Winger Brian Carney and second row ace Mick Cassidy were also due to return but Raper has chosen to stick by the 17 who smacked Swinton by 70 points in last week's Challenge Cup quarter-final.

Danny Tickle, who has recovered from a wrist injury, has been added to an extended squad but Raper is resting his key players ahead of an almighty run of fixtures over the next six weeks.

Their successive Super League ties against title rivals Hull, St Helens, Leeds and Bradford surround the crunch cup semi-final clash with Bradford and a potential final appearance at the Millennium Stadium.

Squad from: Ainscough, Aspinwall, Bibey, Dallas, Johnson, Hock, Hodgson, Lam, Newton, O'Neill, O'Loughlin, Radlinski, Robinson, Sculthorpe, C. Smith, M. Smith, Tickle, Wild.