DENIS Betts could make a shock appearance on the subs bench for Wigan Warriors' crunch Silk Cut Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with St Helens on Sunday.

The Great Britain second-row forward underwent a major operation to reconstruct his shoulder after he was injured in Auckland Warriors final game of the World Club Championship last October and was on course to return for either the semi-final or the start of Super League.

But such is the importance of the game coach John Monie is under pressure to rush him back sooner than expected.

Betts, who agreed to rejoin Wigan after a three year spell Down Under, has been passed fit for a couple of weeks.

"Betts could come in on the bench," confessed Monie. "He has stepped up his training over the last week and I have been happy with the way he has gone."

Monie said he would make a final decision on his line-up after giving injury tests to stand-off Henry Paul (calf) and prop Stephen Holgate (hamstring).

Betts said today: "I have been declared fit by the doctors and have been ready for a couple of weeks, but I underwent a major operation and they didn't want to rush me back too soon.

"It is speculation at the moment but if I am picked I am confident I can do the job."

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